Rwanda has reported eight fatalities from the Marburg virus, a highly infectious Ebola-like ailment, following the country's declaration of an outbreak. The hemorrhagic fever, devoid of authorized vaccine or treatment, surfaced last week. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana confirmed Sunday night that 26 cases have been identified.
Marburg, which is transmitted through close contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces, typically has a fatality rate of up to 88% without treatment. The virus, originating in fruit bats, primarily affects healthcare workers in six out of Rwanda's 30 districts. The public has been advised to minimize physical contact to mitigate the spread, and roughly 300 individuals in contact with infected persons have been put in isolation.
"Marburg is a rare disease," Nsanzimana emphasized to journalists. Contact tracing and testing efforts have been amplified while the virus's origin remains undetermined. Infected individuals might exhibit symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, and vomiting within a three- to 21-day incubation period.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting Rwanda's containment efforts. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus affirmed their commitment on social media platform X. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kigali has recommended remote working for its staff due to the outbreak's severity. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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