A Marburg virus outbreak was declared in Rwanda on 27 September, raising concerns for travellers heading to the central African country. As of 7 October, the Ministry of Health reported 12 deaths from 56 confirmed cases of the Marburg virus in Rwanda. This disease, which can lead to fatal haemorrhagic fever, is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and has an 88 per cent fatality rate.
The virus is highly contagious and is commonly spread in healthcare settings through direct contact with body fluids or an infected individual. Symptoms include fever, severe headaches, muscle ache, vomiting, and diarrhoea, which can appear within 21 days of exposure. Travellers planning to visit Rwanda amidst the outbreak need to be well-informed.
The UK Foreign Office generally does not advise against travel to Rwanda. The Rwandan Ministry of Health has issued recommendations to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, practice enhanced hygiene measures, and be aware of the symptoms of the Marburg virus disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is actively collaborating with Rwanda to strengthen outbreak containment measures, support vaccine and therapeutic research, and provide necessary supplies and expertise to control the outbreak. Preventative measures in Rwanda include symptom screening questionnaires for all departing passengers, strict hygiene protocols at tourist destinations, and restrictions on funeral sizes to prevent the spread of the disease.
As of now, there is no licensed vaccine for the Marburg virus, but Rwanda has started vaccine trials after receiving doses from a US-based non-profit organisation. Dr. Richard Dawood, a specialist in travel medicine, advised travellers not to be overly concerned about the outbreak, suggesting that it should be fairly straightforward to control by isolating symptomatic individuals.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has measures in place to monitor the health of individuals returning from Ebola and Marburg-affected areas. Dr. Dawood highlighted that tropical diseases like malaria are more common in travellers returning from central Africa. Vigilance, good personal hygiene, and reporting any illnesses upon return are crucial for travellers visiting regions affected by the Marburg virus outbreak.