Rwanda's health chief: Marburg outbreak under control

Rwandaʼs health minister Sabin Nsanzimana stated that the Marburg virus outbreak isnt spreading in the country. He pointed out that there have been no new infections or deaths in the past six days (as of 10/1/23). “We dont have community transmission“ Nsanzimana told reporters in Kigali. All positive cases came from the list of known contacts of people with the virus he added

The minister spoke alongside Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus WHO director-general who praised Rwandaʼs efforts to stem the outbreak. “I can see that the outbreak is being managed under strong leadership“ Tedros said. However he warned: “we are dealing with one of the worlds most dangerous viruses and continued vigilance is essential“

Rwanda declared the outbreak on 9/27/23 and has reported 15 deaths. Health authorities 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

The 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 Kigaliʼs 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 individuals or with surfaces such as contaminated bed sheets. Without treatment Marburg can be fatal in up to 88% of people who fall ill. Symptoms include:

• fever
• muscle pains
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• in some cases death through extreme blood loss

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

The U.S. Embassy in Kigali has urged its staff to work remotely and avoid visiting offices. There is no authorized vaccine or treatment for Marburg

Marburg outbreaks and individual cases have in the past been recorded in Tanzania‚ Equatorial Guinea Angola Congo Kenya South Africa Uganda and Ghana. The virus was first identified in 1967 after it caused simultaneous outbreaks of disease in laboratories in the German city of Marburg and in Belgrade Yugoslavia. Seven people died after being exposed to the virus while conducting research on monkeys