Rwandan authorities have imposed restrictions on funeral gatherings for victims of the Marburg virus as part of urgent measures to combat an outbreak of this highly contagious disease. Official reports confirm eight fatalities linked to Rwanda’s first known outbreak of the virus, recently announced by the national health ministry.
Marburg virus, which belongs to the same family as Ebola, has a staggering fatality rate of up to 88%. It is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. To mitigate the virus’s transmission, the health ministry has mandated that funerals for those who succumbed to the disease be limited to no more than 50 attendees.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, the health ministry reassured the public that “normal business and other activities” in the East African nation could continue. However, residents are strongly advised to avoid close interaction with individuals displaying symptoms, which include fever, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases can lead to death from significant blood loss.
The new guidelines also stipulate that hospital patients will not receive visitors for a period of 14 days, and only one caregiver will be permitted per patient. Often in developing nations, family members undertake basic care routines, typically assigned to nursing staff in other contexts.
On Saturday, prior to the confirmed death toll reaching eight, Rwanda’s health minister noted that many of the deceased were healthcare workers in an intensive care unit. Experts have indicated that controlling the virus’s spread may be particularly daunting, especially as case numbers have been concentrated in the densely populated capital of Kigali, unlike previous outbreaks found in more remote areas.
Despite these challenges, health professionals have expressed optimism, citing Rwanda’s superior public health infrastructure and coordination as significant advantages in the fight against Marburg. In response to the outbreak, the Rwandan government is ramping up contact tracing, surveillance, and testing efforts to contain the virus’s spread.
Authorities are currently monitoring approximately 300 individuals who had contact with confirmed cases of the Marburg virus. The public has been urged to maintain good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing.
This incident marks the first confirmed presence of the Marburg virus in Rwanda. In contrast, Tanzania experienced an outbreak earlier this year, while Uganda reported three deaths from the virus in 2017. The current situation highlights the critical need for public awareness and preventive measures to safeguard the health of the community.
