KIGALI, RWANDA. Rwanda has reported eight fatalities linked to the highly contagious and deadly Marburg virus, just days after officially declaring an outbreak of the Ebola-like hemorrhagic fever. The virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, has already claimed multiple lives, heightening concerns within the region.
Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana confirmed on Sunday that 26 cases have been identified, with eight of the infected individuals succumbing to the disease. “Marburg is a rare disease,” Nsanzimana said in a statement, adding that Rwanda is ramping up efforts to contain the virus through intensified contact tracing and testing. He also noted that 300 people who had been in close contact with the confirmed cases have been identified, and many have been placed in isolation to prevent further spread.
The outbreak was first declared on Friday, and by Saturday, Rwanda had reported six deaths. The Marburg virus, much like Ebola, originates in fruit bats and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, such as bed linens. Without medical intervention, the virus can have a fatality rate as high as 88%. Symptoms include high fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, death through excessive blood loss.
The source of the outbreak has yet to be determined, according to Nsanzimana. He warned that individuals exposed to the virus may take between three days and three weeks to exhibit symptoms, making the need for swift containment measures all the more critical.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has increased its support in response to the outbreak. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Saturday via the platform X (formerly Twitter) that the organization is working closely with Rwandan authorities to halt the spread of the virus.
The U.S. Embassy in Kigali has taken precautionary measures, advising its staff to work remotely and avoid visiting offices.
Marburg outbreaks have previously been recorded in several African nations, including Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana. The virus was first identified in 1967 following simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, where seven researchers working with infected monkeys succumbed to the disease.
In a separate health alert, Rwanda has reported six cases of mpox, a virus related to smallpox. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has caused milder outbreaks in several African countries. Earlier this month, Rwanda launched an mpox vaccination campaign, with more doses expected to arrive soon. Neighboring Congo has been at the epicenter of the mpox outbreak, according to the WHO.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
