Marburg Virus Outbreak Claims Eight Lives in Rwanda
At least eight people have died from the highly contagious Marburg virus in Rwanda, according to Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana. This marks the country’s first outbreak of the Ebola-like hemorrhagic fever, which has a fatality rate of up to 88%. The outbreak was declared last Friday, and so far, 26 cases have been confirmed. Authorities are intensifying contact tracing and testing efforts to contain the virus, with 300 people who had contact with confirmed cases being monitored.
Most victims were healthcare workers in intensive care units, with cases primarily reported in the capital, Kigali. Marburg, which originates in fruit bats, spreads through contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death through extreme blood loss.
In response, the Rwandan government has introduced strict measures, including limiting funeral attendance for Marburg victims to 50 people and banning hospital visits for the next two weeks. The public is also urged to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals and practice good hygiene.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with Rwanda to contain the outbreak, although there are currently no authorized treatments or vaccines for Marburg. The outbreak poses a significant challenge due to its emergence in densely populated areas, but Rwanda’s health infrastructure offers hope for containment.
