Kigali. After the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda in East Africa, the government severely limited the number of funeral guests. In order to avoid the spread, only up to 50 people are allowed to attend a funeral, the British Telegraph reported (online Monday).
It is also forbidden to lay the deceased in private homes, churches and mosques. According to the report, this is currently only approved in health facilities under special supervision. Funerals and memorial services are of central importance in many regions of the African continent. They often last several days; Relatives go into debt for this. According to information from the Rwandan Ministry of Health, eight people have died from the virus since Friday; 27 cases have been confirmed.
Every second case is fatal
Marburg virus disease, which causes severe fever, is known to date in eastern, central and southern Africa. According to the World Health Organization, on average every second case is fatal. In regions with a lack of health care, the number is up to 88 percent.
The Egyptian flying fox is considered to be the carrier. Infection from person to person is possible through contact with body fluids. According to information from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, there is currently neither a specific treatment nor a vaccine. (KNA)
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