Fact-Check:Is there Marburg Virus Outbreak In Nigeria?

Reports alleging a Marburg virus disease outbreak in Nigeria have taken over the social media.

The reports claim that the outbreak was announced in a circular issued by the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

The memo, published by the authorities to heads of departments (HODs) went viral on social media.

However, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has refuted Marburg Virus Disease outbreak in Nigeria on its Twitter handle, noting that no case of the disease had been reported anywhere in Nigeria.

The tweet added that strict measures such as amplified surveillance, diagnosis and rapid response teams are in place to prevent and curb the epidemic.

Furthermore, management of the Abuja Teaching hospital on Sunday also disproved the story.

Titled ‘Outbreak of Marburg disease and COVID-19 virus infection’, the memo reads: “The management of Abuja University Teaching Hospital wishes to notify the entire hospital community of an outbreak of Marburg disease and an upsurge in COVID-19 infection.

“Consequently, the attention of all HODs and members of staff is hereby drawn to ensure adequate surveillance and hygiene by observing all protocols of prevention.”

Speaking to The Guardian, the hospital Public Relations Officer, Sani Suleiman, clarified that there was no outbreak of the virus at the medical facility, adding that the memo in question arose from his unit and was addressed to HODs for them to take precautionary measures.

“There is no outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease at the hospital. We have never witnessed that and nobody has reported such. We sent the memo to HODs because we want them to be proactive in taking care of themselves and patients as well as sensitising staff. But the memo was misunderstood.” he said.