Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, over 300 infected, 8 dead
by KalingaTV Bureau · KalingaTVRwanda: A rapidly spreading outbreak of the Marburg virus has infected over 300 people and took eight lives in Rwanda. According to sources, presently there are no autorised vaccine or treatment available for the rapidly spreading virus.
According to Al Jazeera, the virus has affected around seven districts out of the 30 districts in the country. The outbreak, primarily affecting western and northern provinces. It has now sparked international concern due to its rapid spread and high fatality rate.
Rwanda’s Health Minister, Sabin Nsanzimana has stated that, ‘We are increasing efforts to track and test people to stop the virus from spreading.’
The Marburg virus has been reported across African countries like Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and South Africa.
The rare Marburg virus was first found in 1967. It was identified when people working in labs in Marburg (Germany) and Belgrade got sick and died after touching infected monkeys.
The Marburg virus typically spreads through contact with infected fruit bats. It spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people.
Accoring to WHO (World Health Organization) the symptoms of the virus are, fever, muscle pains, diarrhoea, vomiting and, in some cases, death through extreme blood loss. It causes deadly haemorrhagic fever, and kills upto 88 out of 100 infected people. It has been categorized into the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease.
WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has informed that, WHO is extending it’s support to Rwanda to prevent the spread of the Marburg virus. They’re working closely with the Rwandan government to provide necessary assistance. They will provide transporting samples to a regional reference laboratory for confirmation and delivering laboratory testing kits and personal protective equipment.
To prevent the spread of Marburg virus, people are being adviced to avoid touching each other. This is because the virus spreads through direct contact with infected people’s blood, fluids, and contaminated surfaces.
In Rwanda, around 300 people who came into contact with infected individuals have been traced, and some of them are now in isolation.