Marburg Virus Crisis Unfolds in Rwanda
On September 27, 2024, the Rwandan Ministry of Health reported that six individuals have succumbed to the Marburg virus, while 20 others have been infected across various regions of the country. The announcement, made by Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, follows widespread speculation on social media about an unknown illness affecting healthcare workers in hospitals, especially in Kigali.
The statement issued on September 27, detailed that a significant number of infections and fatalities have occurred among healthcare workers, specifically those attending to deaf patients. The Ministry of Health has implemented several precautionary measures to curb the virus’s spread, although it did not specify the names of hospitals or health centers affected.
Efforts to Control the Spread
Minister Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized that efforts are already underway to identify and trace all individuals who may have had contact with those infected. He reassured the public that they should not panic, highlighting that Marburg is less contagious compared to other diseases like COVID-19 and does not spread through the air but primarily through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals.
The minister urged those showing symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, muscle or abdominal pain to report to the nearest health center or contact the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC). Symptoms of the Marburg virus closely resemble those of Ebola, as described by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Tracing Contacts and Health Measures
The Ministry of Health is actively conducting contact tracing, having already identified around 300 individuals who came into contact with infected persons. The number is expected to rise as investigations continue. Contact tracing includes people who may have interacted with patients directly or indirectly, such as caregivers or even individuals who exchanged casual greetings with those infected.
The minister stated that healthcare and treatment for the infected are currently being covered by the government, with all necessary resources mobilized to address the crisis. The WHO Rwanda Office has pledged to supply equipment to support efforts against Marburg and dispatched seven international experts specializing in contagious diseases to assist the local task force.
Minister Nsanzimana’s Assurances
Dr. Nsanzimana also sought to quell fears among the public, assuring them that Rwanda is well-prepared due to its experience in managing other epidemics. He noted, “It is extremely difficult to prevent an outbreak before it occurs, but once we detect it, we respond swiftly to contain it.” He expressed optimism that, within a few months, the outbreak would be brought under control, much like other similar crises around the world.
The health minister also reassured Rwandans that daily activities should continue as usual, stressing the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices and avoiding direct contact with bodily fluids. He mentioned that initial progress in tracing and managing the spread of the virus over the first three days was encouraging, reinforcing the belief that a long-term solution would be reached soon.
International Context of Marburg Virus Outbreaks
The Marburg virus is known to be similar to Ebola and has previously caused significant outbreaks. It was first identified in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, after lab workers were exposed to infected monkeys imported from Uganda. Since then, various outbreaks have occurred, including in Angola in 2005, where 329 out of 374 infected individuals died. Uganda experienced outbreaks in 2012 and 2017, with fatality rates ranging from 26% to 100%.
The Marburg virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, and symptoms include severe headache, high fever, vomiting, muscle pain, and abdominal pain. Preventative measures include heightened hygiene protocols and avoiding sharing items with individuals exhibiting these symptoms.
