As cases pertaining to the deadly Marburg virus increase in Rwanda, neighboring regions of Eastern Africa have begun ramping up their surveillance along with strict health guidelines. Take a look.
Marburg Virus Update: East Africa Heightens Surveillance As Rwanda Records 11 Deaths
Marburg virus Outbreak in Rwanda, Africa: Rwanda is witnessing an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus and has recently reported 11 fatalities. Marburg virus is a fatal haemorrhagic fever that has hit the country with almost 36 people testing positive. The virus was first detected in late September, as per reports from the health ministry. This virus is not new however, this is the first time Rwanda, in east-central Africa has reported cases and fatalities. Officials also reported concerns regarding the virus spreading to Germany when a medical student reportedly fell ill after coming in contact with an infected patient in Rwanda. Both have confirmed testing negative according to sources.
More About Marburg Virus
Marburg is a deadly virus that causes haemorrhagic fever and experts say that it is similar to Ebola virus. Its fatality rate may vary from 24 per cent to 88 per cent. The risk of fatality is dependent on the strain of the virus and the treatments available, says The World Health Organisation (WHO). Marburg virus does not have a specific antiviral treatment of vaccines available and this makes the disease deadlier. The only available method of treatment is early supportive care, hydration and symptom management.
The Major Symptoms Are
Severe viral hemorrhagic fever, loss of the body’s ability to clot blood, severe headache, general malaise, muscle aches, nausea, bleeding and diarrhoea. In severe cases, risk of fatality may happen within eight or nine days after the onset of symptoms. Typically deaths occur due to organ failure in case of Marburg virus.
The WHO has warned that the presence of Marburg in Kigali, which has an international airport, increases the risk of the disease spreading to other countries.
Kenya And Rwanda Intensifies Measures To Contain The Outbreak
As more diseases are being recorded from neighbouring regions of Rwanda, the government has intensified measures and has issues several pointers that may help control the outbreak:
According to reports from Kenya, they have prepared special laboratories across the country to combat a potential outbreak.Surveillance, testing and readiness efforts have been intensified across Eastern Africa in partnership with WHO and regional partners, report officials from Kenya.Public health surveillance and community engagement has also been intensified.In Rwanda, the health ministry had released guidelines for patients stating that they will not receive visitor for 14 days and will only have one caregiver at a time. This is to contain the spread of the virus.
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Source link : https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/marburg-virus-update-east-africa-heightens-surveillance-as-rwanda-records-11-deaths-1133034/
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Publish date : 2024-10-05 08:26:00
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