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Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda kills six and 28 lab-validated cases identified with hundreds of suspected cases
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 29, 2024 1 month, 3 weeks, 2 days, 18 hours, 17 minutes ago
Medical News: Rwanda’s Marburg Virus Crisis
A deadly outbreak of the Marburg virus has claimed the lives of six people in Rwanda, including healthcare workers in the intensive care unit, according to Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana. This alarming news has brought to the forefront the dangers of the virus, which belongs to the same family as Ebola and has a similarly high fatality rate.
Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda kills six and 28 lab-validated cases identified
with hundreds of suspected cases
Since the outbreak was confirmed last Friday, 28 cases have been identified via lab diagnostics. However, there are possibly hundreds of suspected cases that are currently being tested. Most of those infected have been in close contact with individuals who were already ill, with the virus spreading through bodily fluids. As a result, authorities in Rwanda have intensified efforts to track and contain the virus through contact tracing, surveillance, and testing. Nsanzimana urged the public to remain vigilant, encouraging citizens to maintain high hygiene standards by washing their hands frequently with clean water and soap or using sanitizer, as well as to report any suspected cases immediately.
ThisMedical News report highlights the details of the ongoing Marburg virus outbreak and how Rwanda is managing the crisis to prevent further fatalities. Neighboring Tanzania and Uganda have also experienced outbreaks of the Marburg virus in recent years, making it even more critical for authorities to take swift and effective action to prevent a broader spread of the disease.
Understanding the Marburg Virus
The Marburg virus is a rare but deadly hemorrhagic fever caused by a virus from the same family as Ebola. It is transmitted to humans from fruit bats, particularly the Egyptian rousette bat, and spreads between people through direct contact with bodily fluids like blood, saliva, urine, feces, and vomit. Contaminated surfaces and medical equipment can also play a role in the transmission.
Healthcare workers are especially at risk when treating infected patients, as close contact during medical procedures can lead to exposure to the virus.
The incubation period for the virus ranges from two to nine days, with symptoms typically appearing after this period. Initially, infected individuals experience fever, muscle pains, headaches, and sore throats. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, and bleeding can occur. In some cases, Marburg can cause extreme blood loss, organ failure, and eventually death.
The virus is known for its high case-fatality rate, which can range from 24% to as high as 88%, depending on the quality of medical intervention and the specific strain involved. The virus's ability to spread through human contact and its potential for a high fatality rate make it a critical health threat whenever an outbreak occurs. https://www.cdc.gov/marburg/about/index.html<
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