Rwanda's Marburg fever death toll reaches 11 as authorities probe its source

Photo : Reuters

Marburg hemorrhagic fever has resulted in 11 fatalities in Rwanda, as confirmed by health authorities. The outbreak, first identified among patients in health facilities, has raised concerns as the East African nation continues to investigate its source.

As of the latest update from the Rwandan government, there are currently 36 confirmed cases of the disease, which manifests similarly to Ebola. Among these, 25 patients are in isolation as health officials work diligently to contain the spread.

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The outbreak was officially declared on September 27, with the first reported deaths occurring just a day later. Authorities revealed that initial cases were discovered in healthcare settings, prompting an immediate investigation to ascertain the origin of the infection. However, as days pass, the source of the outbreak remains unclear, fueling fears of further contagion within the small Central African nation.

To combat the spread of Marburg, health officials have identified at least 300 individuals who have had contact with confirmed cases, and an unspecified number of these individuals are now placed in isolation facilities. The emphasis on isolating patients and their contacts is crucial in controlling the transmission of viral hemorrhagic fevers like Marburg.

Rwandan citizens have been urged to avoid physical contact to help mitigate the virus's spread. Notably, a significant portion of the affected individuals comprises healthcare workers across six of the country’s 30 districts, raising alarm among medical professionals.

The U.S. Embassy in Rwanda has taken precautions by advising its staff to work remotely and to refrain from visiting offices in light of the outbreak.

Marburg virus, akin to Ebola, is believed to be zoonotic, with fruit bats serving as the primary reservoir. The virus spreads between humans through close contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces, such as bed linens. Without appropriate medical intervention, Marburg can be fatal in up to 88% of cases.

Symptoms of Marburg include high fever, severe muscle pains, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, death due to extreme blood loss.

Historically, Marburg outbreaks and sporadic cases have been recorded in several countries, including Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana, as noted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus was first identified in 1967, following simultaneous outbreaks in laboratories located in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, leading to seven deaths among researchers who had been exposed to the virus while studying infected monkeys.