Rwanda is battling the deadly Marburg virus, which has killed at least six people in its first-ever outbreak.
The country’s health minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, said that most of those killed were healthcare workers in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
Since Friday (September 27), 26 cases of the Marburg virus have been confirmed in the country. To stop the virus from spreading, the government has implemented measures like contact tracing, quarantining affected individuals and launching public health awareness campaigns.
What is the Marburg virus?
The Marburg virus is a highly infectious virus and has a high fatality rate from 24 per cent to 88 per cent, as per the World Health Organisation.
In 1967, the virus was first identified and linked to African green monkeys imported from Uganda.
How does the virus spread among people?
Egyptian rousette fruit bat is the primary carrier of the Marburg virus, from which it is transmitted to humans. The virus is also carried by African green monkeys and pigs.
Among humans, the virus spreads through contact with contaminated bedding or surfaces, infected semen and bodily fluids (blood, saliva, vomit, etc.).
What are the symptoms of Marburg virus?
In the patients infected with the Marburg virus, symptoms like high fever, severe headaches, and muscle pains are seen in the initial days.
After three days, patients have reported suffering severe symptoms like watery diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting, and bleeding from various parts of the body.
“The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing ‘ghost-like’ drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces, and extreme lethargy,” stated the WHO.
In some patients, a non-itchy rash has also been seen between two and seven days. Some people also develop severe haemorrhagic manifestations in a week.
Watch: Next Covid From China: Killer Virus Found in Chinese Fur Farms
In fatal cases, there is bleeding from multiple areas like the nose, gums, eyes and vagina.
How can the disease be treated?
The doctors have been providing supportive care and administering oral or intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration. However, as per the WHO, there is no proven treatment for the Marburg virus.
To test the symptoms of Marburg virus infection, people are using diagnostic methods like antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antigen detection tests, serum neutralization tests, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and virus isolation by cell culture.
What measures should be adopted to control spread of the virus?
According to the health authorities, to control the spread of the virus, control measures like no physical contact with those infected, avoiding eating bushmeat or coming in contact with pigs, washing hands regularly, and using sanitiser should be implemented.
(With inputs from agencies)