Nine people died by marburg virus, of a highly contagious disease that causes a hemorrhagic fever and is almost as deadly as Ebola, in eastern Equatorial Guinea.

This small country in central Africa quarantined one of her provinces in order to limit the epidemic, the Ministry of Health announced today.

Last week the government announced it was investigating suspected dengue cases. At the moment only three people showing “mild symptoms” remain in isolation at a hospital in Kye-Dem province, on the border with Gabon and Cameroon, Minister Mitola Odo Ayekaba said at a press conference.

In addition to Kye-Dem Province, neighboring Mongomo District was also quarantined.

The World Health Organization has confirmed that this is the first time the Marburg virus has been detected in Equatorial Guinea.

Marburg virus is transmitted to humans by bats. It is spread from person to person through direct contact with bodily fluids of patients, but it can also be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects.