In a statement, the ministry said the virulent disease, which causes haemorrhagic fever, has been confirmed among a "few patients in health facilities across the country," and investigations are underway to determine the origin of the infection.
"Enhanced preventive measures are being implemented in all health facilities. Contact tracing is underway, and cases have been isolated for treatment," the ministry stated.
The ministry urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle aches, and stomach pain to call the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) on toll free number 114 or visit the nearest health facility.
"The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates regularly. The public should continue with their usual activities while maintaining a high level of vigilance and hygiene," the ministry cautioned.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola.
Like Ebola, Marburg causes severe haemorrhagic fever, affecting multiple organ systems and often leading to profuse bleeding. It affects both humans and nonhuman primates.
The viral infection is zoonotic, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans.
"Human infection with Marburg virus disease initially results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies," a statement on the WHO website reads.
Once infected, Marburg can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces and materials such as beddings and clothing.
The Marburg virus is named after the German city of Marburg, where it was first identified in 1967.
The initial outbreak was associated with laboratory work involving African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda.
Since then, outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-confirms-marburg-virus-cases-enhances-preventive-measures
