Rwanda Reports No Community Transmission Of Marburg Virus, Zero New Cases Recorded (Image Credits: iStock)
Rwanda is taking strong measures to manage the outbreak of the Marburg virus, a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. Until now Rwanda has identified 1,146 contacts exposed to the virus. Health authorities have confirmed 15 deaths, 44 recoveries, and only three active cases remain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised Rwanda's efforts to manage the outbreak. “I can see that the outbreak is being managed under strong leadership,” Tedros said. “But we are dealing with one of the world's most dangerous viruses, and continued vigilance is essential.”
Rwanda declared the outbreak on September 27 and has so far reported 15 deaths. Health authorities have confirmed 44 recoveries and only three active cases remain, according to official figures.
Most of the affected people have been health workers who got the virus while treating patients, Nsanzimana said. Nsanzimana said that an investigation showed the index case was almost certainly a 27-year-old man who had been exposed to the virus from contact with a specific cave-dwelling bat species. The man had sought treatment at Kigali's King Faisal Hospital, exposing many health workers there.
Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads between people through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or with surfaces, such as contaminated bed sheets.
Marburg is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated surfaces, such as bedding. Symptoms of Marburg include fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in some cases, severe blood loss leading to death. Without treatment, the virus can be fatal in up to 88 per cent of cases.
Rwandans have been urged to avoid physical contact to help curb the spread. Schools and hospital visits have been suspended and the numbers of people who can attend funerals for Marburg victims have also been restricted. Home vigils are banned if a death is linked to Marburg.
Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment for Marburg, making it crucial to isolate infected people and trace their contacts to contain the outbreak.
Marburg virus outbreaks have occurred in several African countries, including Tanzania, Angola, Uganda, and Ghana. The virus was first discovered in 1967 when it caused simultaneous outbreaks in research laboratories in Germany and Yugoslavia, resulting in seven deaths. Since then, efforts to control the spread of this deadly virus have required quick action and strong public health interventions.
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