Rwanda reports the first outbreak of the Marburg virus

Rwanda'The country's Ministry of Health reported the country'It is the first outbreak of the Marburg virus, which has already sickened 26 people in seven parts of the country, eight of them fatally's 30 districts.

The outbreak comes at a time when Africa is grappling with multiple infectious diseases, including the complex spread of multiple MPox clades. The Marburg virus causes a viral hemorrhagic fever illness with symptoms similar to Ebola.

Although Rwanda'The outbreak marks the first Marburg event of 2024, following outbreaks in 2023 that first occurred in two other African countries: Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea.

Many patients work in healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement on September 28 that 20 patients were isolated and receiving treatment and 161 contacts had been identified and were being monitored. The group is mobilizing expertise and outbreak response tools to be delivered to Kigali in the coming days.

According to a Rwandan, most of the patients are health workers, especially those working in intensive care units, from various medical facilities Media report Sabin Nsanzimana, MD, PhD, quoted the country as saying's Minister of Health.

To curb the spread of Marburg, the government has limited the number of funerals for those who died of the disease to 50 people and said hospitalized Marburg patients will be limited to one caregiver, according to a BBC Report.

The US Embassy in Kigali issued a health alert on September 28th said Until the extent and severity of the Marburg outbreak is known, out of an abundance of caution, authorized employees have been asked to work remotely today until October 4th. Additionally, all in-person services were suspended during the People's Assembly.

The country has a robust response system

Matshidiso Moeti, MD, who heads the WHO's African regional office, “With the country'Given the already robust public health emergency response system, WHO is working closely with national authorities to provide the necessary support to further strengthen ongoing efforts.”

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today The ministry said eight people had died and that it was communicating with health authorities in Rwanda and across the region. The CDC has maintained an office in Rwanda since 2002 and provides additional support to the country.

The mortality rate of Marburg virus disease is up to 88%. Symptoms may begin suddenly with fever, rash, and heavy bleeding. Fruit bats harbor the virus and transmit it to humans, and like Ebola, the virus spreads between humans through contact with infected bodily fluids.

There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. However, several promising countermeasures are in clinical trials.