Marburg virus
Credit : Wikimedia Commons
The death toll, since the announcement of the first infections of this virus on September 28, has risen to 12 deaths, most of them medical workers.according to Rwandan health authorities. With a mortality rate of up to 88%, this very dangerous virus causes high fever often accompanied by hemorrhages affecting several organs. According to the Rwandan Ministry of Health, some 41 cases of infection have been recorded. The Marburg virus is part of the filovirus family, to which the Ebola virus also belongs, which has already caused several deadly epidemics in Central Africa in particular.
Vaccination began on Sunday October 6, 2024
Rwandan health authorities rolled out a trial vaccine against hemorrhagic fever this Sunday. The country received 700 doses of a vaccine under evaluation, supplied by the Sabin Vaccine Institute. “Vaccination starts by targeting the people most at risk and most exposed. These include health personnel working in treatment centers, hospitals, intensive care units and emergency rooms, but also relatives of confirmed cases. » says Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister of Health.
Washington advises Americans against traveling to Rwanda
The United States on Monday advised Americans against traveling to Rwanda due to the presence of the Marburg virus. The State Department issued an advisory to this effect advising American citizens to “reconsider” any travel to this country in due to the presence of this virus. He upgraded his travel advisory from category 2 to 3, on a scale of 4, which means “do not travel there”.
With AFP
