A travel warning has been issued following an outbreak of a highly contagious virus similar to Ebola in Rwanda. The country has reported eight deaths from the Marburg virus, which was declared as a deadly hemorrhagic fever outbreak with no approved vaccine or treatment. At least 26 cases have been confirmed, prompting concerns about the spread of the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against imposing travel and trade restrictions on Rwanda based on the current risk assessment. The Marburg virus, like Ebola, is believed to originate in fruit bats and can be transmitted among people through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
Rwanda, a landlocked country in central Africa, declared the outbreak last Friday, with the first six deaths reported a day later. Authorities have urged the public to avoid physical contact to help prevent further transmission. Contact tracing efforts are underway, with around 300 individuals who came into contact with confirmed cases identified and some placed in isolation facilities.
Most of those affected by the virus are healthcare workers across six out of the country’s 30 districts. Health officials stress the importance of early detection and seeking supportive treatment for Marburg-like symptoms to improve patient survival rates. While the source of the disease is yet to be determined, efforts to curb the spread are intensifying.
Symptoms of the Marburg virus include fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, death due to excessive blood loss. The WHO is ramping up support to assist Rwandan authorities in containing the outbreak. The US Embassy in Kigali has advised its staff to work remotely and avoid office visits as a precautionary measure.
Marburg outbreaks and isolated cases have been previously documented in various African countries. The rare virus was first identified in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia. Additionally, Rwanda has reported cases of mpox, a disease related to smallpox, with six confirmed cases so far. A vaccination campaign has been launched to address the mpox outbreak.
As the situation unfolds, global health authorities continue to monitor and respond to the evolving public health concerns in Rwanda and neighbouring countries. Efforts are underway to contain the outbreaks and prevent further spread of these infectious diseases.