Six people have died following an outbreak of the Marburg virus in Rwanda, according to the health minister. Most of the victims were healthcare workers in an intensive care unit. Since the outbreak was confirmed last Friday, twenty cases have been identified.
Marburg, a virus related to Ebola, has a fatality rate of up to 88%. It is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and then spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death from extreme blood loss.
Currently, there are no specific treatments or vaccines available for Marburg, although various blood products, drug therapies, and immune treatments are being developed. Rwanda has ramped up efforts for contact tracing, surveillance, and testing to contain the virus. Authorities are monitoring around 300 people who may have been in contact with infected individuals. The public has been urged to avoid physical contact, practice good hygiene, and report suspected cases.
The outbreak has mainly affected the capital, Kigali. The U.S. embassy has advised its employees to work remotely for the coming week. This is the first recorded Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, though neighboring countries, including Tanzania and Uganda, have reported cases in recent years.
