Addressing the press in Kigali on Sunday, October 13, 2024, Dr. Brian Chirombo, the WHO Representative in Rwanda, saluted the health workers as the heroes of the outbreak, noting that specialist health workers were most affected at the onset.
'The health workers were actually affected while working hard to save lives. They have put their lives on the line, and some of them have succumbed. They are the heroes of this outbreak. Even after some of their colleagues died early on, many of these healthcare workers and experts continue to work tirelessly, risking their lives,' he stated.
'Of course, the government and ourselves are working to ensure that they are kept safe while working, but the risks are not zero. These healthcare workers continue to face danger every day to save lives," he added.
Dr. Chirombo also commended the measures implemented by the Rwandan government to contain the outbreak. He criticized those imposing travel and trade restrictions on Rwanda, arguing that significant progress has been made to combat the Marburg virus.
'The measures taken by Rwanda and its partners are sufficient. The decision to halt travel is not helpful and only exacerbates the country's economic situation. Such decisions negatively impact the economy and society. The available data shows progress, with more people recovering, which is proof that things are improving," he stated in an apparent reference to a travel advisory issued by the United States government last week.
'When people recover, it shows that the infected are receiving proper care. It is a very dangerous outbreak. Rwanda is not the first country to face this, and it takes time and effort to fight it.'
Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana also emphasized that the measures in place are yielding positive results, with more people recovering than dying from Marburg.
'There are positive indicators showing that the efforts being made are paying off. In the past three days, we tested and found no new cases of the disease. This is good news, but we cannot afford to be complacent. We have seen that the number of recoveries continues to rise, now standing at 18, while 14 have died,' Dr. Nsanzimana said, adding that the vaccination of frontline health workers and high-risk individuals will continue.
Since the outbreak was confirmed on September 27, 2024, Rwanda has reported 61 cases and 14 deaths from more than 3,600 tests conducted.
The virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever, is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding.
To prevent infection, health experts recommend strict hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with personal items or bodily fluids of individuals showing symptoms of Marburg virus disease.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/who-salutes-rwanda-s-health-workers-as-heroes-of-marburg-outbreak
