Rwanda says no community transmission of Marburg virus, with zero new infections in recent days

Rwanda’s well being minister stated Sunday that an outbreak of the Marburg virus just isn’t spreading within the nation, citing the absence of recent infections or deaths prior to now six days.

“We do not have neighborhood transmission,” Well being Minister Sabin Nsanzimana informed reporters in Kigali, the Rwandan capital. All optimistic circumstances have come from the checklist of recognized contacts of individuals with the virus, he stated.

Figuring out and isolating individuals uncovered to contamination is essential to stopping outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers like Marburg. Rwanda has documented 1,146 contacts.

Nsanzimana spoke alongside Tedros Adhanom Ghebereyesus, the World Well being Group director-general, who praised Rwanda’s efforts to stem the outbreak of the Ebola-like illness.

“I can see that the outbreak is being managed below sturdy management,” Tedros stated. “However we’re coping with one of many world’s most harmful viruses, and continued vigilance is important.”

Rwanda declared the outbreak on Sept. 27 and has to this point reported 15 deaths. Well being authorities have confirmed 44 recoveries and solely three lively circumstances stay, in response to official figures.

Many of the affected individuals have been well being staff who acquired the virus whereas treating sufferers, Nsanzimana stated.

Nsanzimana stated that an investigation confirmed the index case was virtually actually a 27-year-old man who had been uncovered to the virus from contact with a selected cave-dwelling bat species. The person had sought therapy at Kigali’s King Faisal Hospital, exposing many well being staff there.

Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads between individuals by way of shut contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated people or with surfaces, corresponding to contaminated mattress sheets.

With out therapy, Marburg could be deadly in as much as 88% of people that fall sick. Signs embrace fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, vomiting and, in some circumstances, loss of life by way of excessive blood loss.

Rwandans have been urged to keep away from bodily contact to assist curb the unfold. Colleges and hospital visits have been suspended and the numbers of people that can attend funerals for Marburg victims have additionally been restricted. House vigils are banned if a loss of life is linked to Marburg.

The U.S. Embassy in Kigali has urged its employees to work remotely and keep away from visiting places of work.

There isn’t any approved vaccine or therapy for Marburg.

Marburg outbreaks and particular person circumstances have prior to now been recorded in Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Ghana.

The virus was first recognized in 1967 after it precipitated simultaneous outbreaks of illness in laboratories within the German metropolis of Marburg and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Seven individuals died after being uncovered to the virus whereas conducting analysis on monkeys.

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