[Source – timesofindia.indiatimes.com]
Rwanda is battling a deadly outbreak of Marburg virus (hemorrhagic fever), which has claimed 11 lives since it was declared on September 27. The country’s health authorities are struggling to trace the source of the virus, which has spread among patients in various health facilities. As of the latest government update, 36 cases have been confirmed, with 25 individuals in isolation.
The virus, which has symptoms resembling Ebola, was first identified in health facilities, sparking an urgent investigation to determine the origin of the infection. However, the source remains unidentified, raising fears of further contagion. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern, especially due to cases emerging in Kigali, the capital city, which is a major transport hub with an international airport. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the outbreak poses a “very high risk at the national level and high at the regional level.” Despite these concerns, WHO assesses the global risk as low.
International Concerns Over Potential Spread
The threat of the virus extending beyond Rwanda’s borders has caused alarm internationally. Two people were placed in isolation in Hamburg, Germany, after returning from Rwanda, where they had been exposed to Marburg patients. Both tested negative, but the situation prompted significant caution, including the temporary closure of two railway tracks where the individuals had arrived.
In Rwanda, most of the affected individuals are healthcare workers from six districts, some of which border neighboring countries like Congo, Uganda, and Tanzania. Authorities are working to track and isolate those who have been in contact with infected individuals, with 300 people already identified. The Rwandan government has also put several precautionary measures in place, including the suspension of school and hospital visits and limiting attendance at funerals for Marburg victims.
Efforts to Contain the Outbreak and Public Health Response
In a bid to control the spread, Rwanda’s health minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, announced plans to begin clinical trials for a Marburg virus vaccine in the coming days. Although details about the specific vaccine are yet to be revealed, health authorities are stepping up efforts to screen people showing symptoms such as fever, body aches, and headaches. So far, over 2,000 people have been tested, with an additional 5,000 test kits expected to arrive soon.
Rwandans have been urged to avoid physical contact and adhere to strict preventive measures. The U.S. Embassy in Kigali has advised its staff to work remotely to minimize exposure, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is believed to originate from fruit bats and spreads through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. While the virus is fatal in up to 88% of cases, there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment, making prevention and containment critical. The virus was first discovered in 1967 after outbreaks in laboratories in Germany and Serbia and has since been recorded in several African nations, including Angola, Kenya, and Uganda.
