The Marburg virus hits Rwanda, which currently has 20 people infected and 6 deaths linked to this disease.
- In Rwanda, six people infected with the Marburg virus have died.
- Marburg virus disease manifests itself as a severe hemorrhagic fever, often fatal for humans.
- Currently, there is no curative or preventive treatment for this disease.
Rwanda is affected by the Marburg virus. This week, according to information from Radio France international (RFI), the Rwandan Ministry of Health officially announced: the country has 6 deaths and 20 people infected.
Marburg virus disease is fatal in 50% of cases
“Those who were infected (by the Marburg virus) and those who died were mainly healthcare workers”explained the Minister of Health of Rwanda, Sabin Nsanzimana, to the media of his country and taken up by 20 minutes. People affected by Marburg virus disease have all been taken in charge. The latter can be dangerous. Indeed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)“the average case fatality rate is around 50%. It has varied from 24% to 88% during previous epidemic outbreaks, depending on the viral strain and case management”.
The Marburg virus is part of the same family as Ebola. That is to say filoviruses according to the MSD Manual. The pathology manifests itself as a high hemorrhagic fever, often fatal for humans. The incubation period is between two and twenty-one days. Symptoms generally appear suddenly, including high fever and severe headache. On the third day, the patient may experience nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps.
Between the fifth and seventh day, many patients have hemorrhages, a symptom that often makes the pathology fatal. On average, the person dies eight to nine days after the first signs of infection.
Marburg virus: no treatment capable of neutralizing it
“There are currently no approved treatments to neutralize the virus, but several treatments based on blood products, immune therapies and drug treatments are under development”, we can read on the WHO website.
Transmission of the Marburg virus is mainly between humans, due to contact either direct between people, or with certain liquids (such as secretions or blood) or even via contaminated materials or surfaces.
To prevent the spread of the disease, Rwandan health authorities are working to trace and test all contact cases of patients.
This is not the first time that this virus has caused concern. In February 2023, an outbreak occurred in Equatorial Guinea. In a press releasethe WHO said it was worried about the situation.
