RWANDA— Rwanda has ramped up its outbreak control measures following the confirmation of 26 Marburg virus disease (MVD) cases, including six deaths, across seven of the country’s 30 districts.
As part of the response, health authorities have isolated 20 patients for treatment, while 161 individuals who had contact with the confirmed cases are currently under monitoring, which aims to curb the spread of the virus and deepen investigations into its origin.
This development follows Tanzania’s successful containment of a Marburg virus outbreak earlier in April, which affected the Maruku and Kanyangereko wards in Bukoba District Council, Kagera Region.
At the time, outgoing Tanzanian Minister for Health Ummy Mwalimu emphasized the importance of ongoing vigilance to prevent new infections, end the stigma associated with the disease, and support the rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors.
Rwanda’s recent detection has further highlighted the critical need for sustained efforts to address MVD outbreaks across the region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has mobilised resources to reinforce the country’s outbreak control measures in response to Rwanda’s situation.
WHO is deploying outbreak response tools, including emergency medical supplies, to support Rwanda’s public health response.
A shipment of clinical care and infection prevention and control supplies is set to be dispatched from WHO’s Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, to Kigali in the coming days.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, commented on the outbreak, stating that all critical aspects of the outbreak response are being rapidly implemented to help Rwanda stop the virus’s spread.
She further noted that Rwanda’s strong public health emergency response system and WHO’s ongoing collaboration with national authorities have created a solid foundation for effectively managing the outbreak.
Additionally, WHO is coordinating cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries to strengthen their preparedness and response measures.
This is essential to ensure the timely detection and containment of any potential spillover of the virus, preventing its further spread.
While several promising candidate medical countermeasures for Marburg virus disease are in clinical development, no licensed vaccine is currently available.
WHO is actively working with a consortium of experts to accelerate the development of vaccines and treatments against the virus.
Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent illness, causing hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate of up to 88%. It belongs to the same family of viruses that causes Ebola.
Symptoms of Marburg virus infection typically begin suddenly, with high fever, severe headache, and malaise, followed by severe hemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
The virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials
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