Rwanda is battling its very first Marburg virus outbreak-ever-conceived, a vicious hemorrhagic disease that bears some similarities to Ebola. To date eight people have perished from the virus, no longer available to be vaccinated against or treated.
The international health experts are converging on the offices of Rwanda’s health officials in a desperate bid to stem the spread and with possibly life-saving advice.
Rwanda has reported its first outbreak of the deadly and contagious Marburg virus, killing 88% of its victims.
The related, lethal Ebola-like virus has so far affected 26 people, killing eight confirmed deaths, according to reports from Rwanda’s Ministry of Health.
The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have rapidly mobilized international experts and medical aid to assist Rwanda in bringing the virus under control.
As WHO’s Dr. Brian Chirombo has noted, its superior public health system will rapidly position Rwanda to get this outbreak back under control.
The virus, which is spread through bodily fluids, has reached seven of Rwanda’s thirty districts. More than a hundred persons in contact with infected individuals have been identified by the health officials, and they are placed under close observation or isolation.
Another underlying reason associated with this risk is that many of the infected cases are healthcare professionals.
The government is also warning the public not to panic with such worrying circumstances and assuring that all their efforts are being made to stop the spread.
The experts think if fast action with controlled breakout continues, the issue can be managed.
