JanguKamaJangu
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 7, 2022
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On 27 September 2024, the Rwanda Ministry of Health announced the confirmation of Marburg virus disease (MVD). Blood samples taken from people showing symptoms were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the National Reference Laboratory of the Rwanda Biomedical Center and were positive for Marburg virus.
As of 29 September 2024, a total of 26 confirmed cases, including eight deaths have been reported. The cases are reported from seven of the 30 districts in the country. Among the confirmed cases, over 70% are healthcare workers from two health facilities in Kigali.
The patients are being cared for in hospitals. Contact tracing is underway, with 300 contacts under follow-up. This is the first time MVD has been reported in Rwanda. The Government of Rwanda is coordinating the response with support from WHO and partners.
There is currently no available treatment or vaccine for MVD. This is why it is important for people showing Marburg-like symptoms to seek care early for supportive treatment which can improve patient survival. WHO assesses the risk of this outbreak as very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.
Source: WHO
Eight people have died during Rwanda's first outbreak of the virus, which was confirmed on Friday by the nation's health ministry.
Marburg, with a fatality rate of up to 88%, is from the same virus family as Ebola. It spreads to humans from fruit bats and then through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.
In new guidelines to halt the spread of Marburg, the health ministry said no more than 50 people should attend the funeral of a person who died from the disease.
Source: BBC
As of 29 September 2024, a total of 26 confirmed cases, including eight deaths have been reported. The cases are reported from seven of the 30 districts in the country. Among the confirmed cases, over 70% are healthcare workers from two health facilities in Kigali.
The patients are being cared for in hospitals. Contact tracing is underway, with 300 contacts under follow-up. This is the first time MVD has been reported in Rwanda. The Government of Rwanda is coordinating the response with support from WHO and partners.
There is currently no available treatment or vaccine for MVD. This is why it is important for people showing Marburg-like symptoms to seek care early for supportive treatment which can improve patient survival. WHO assesses the risk of this outbreak as very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.
Source: WHO
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Rwandan authorities have restricted funeral sizes for victims of Marburg virus in an effort to curb an outbreak of the highly contagious disease.Eight people have died during Rwanda's first outbreak of the virus, which was confirmed on Friday by the nation's health ministry.
Marburg, with a fatality rate of up to 88%, is from the same virus family as Ebola. It spreads to humans from fruit bats and then through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.
In new guidelines to halt the spread of Marburg, the health ministry said no more than 50 people should attend the funeral of a person who died from the disease.
Source: BBC