Brazzaville/Kigali – Rwandan health authorities are on epidemic alert following the detection of the Marburg virus, with at least 26 confirmed cases and at least six deaths reported so far.
Cases of the virus have been reported in seven of the country’s 30 districts. Twenty cases have been isolated and are receiving treatment, while 161 people who were in contact with the reported cases have been identified so far and are being monitored, with authorities strengthening comprehensive response measures and deepening the investigation to determine the origin of the infection.
To support ongoing efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) is mobilizing its outbreak control expertise and tools, including emergency medical supplies, to help strengthen the control measures put in place. place to stop the virus. A batch of supplies for clinical care and infection prevention and control is being prepared and will be delivered to Kigali in the coming days from the WHO emergency response center in Nairobi, Kenya.
“We are rapidly putting in place all essential aspects of the outbreak response to help Rwanda quickly and effectively stop the spread of this virus,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Given the country’s already strong public health emergency response system, WHO is working closely with national authorities to provide the necessary support to further strengthen ongoing efforts. »
WHO is also coordinating efforts to strengthen cross-border preparedness and response measures in countries neighboring Rwanda, to ensure timely detection and control of the virus and prevent further spread.
Although there are several promising candidate medical countermeasures advancing in clinical development, there is currently no approved vaccine to effectively combat Marburg virus. WHO is coordinating a consortium of experts to promote the preclinical and clinical development of Marburg virus vaccines and therapeutics.
The Marburg virus is very virulent and causes hemorrhagic fever with a mortality rate of up to 88%. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. The illness caused by the Marburg virus begins suddenly with a high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Many patients develop severe bleeding symptoms within seven days. The virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads in humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials.
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