Marburg Virus Sparks Health Crisis in Rwanda
First Outbreak of Marburg Virus in Rwanda
Rwanda is facing its first outbreak of the "highly lethal" Marburg virus. This outbreak was first reported at the end of September, and as of last Thursday, 11 people have died from the virus. In response to the outbreak, the health minister announced the start of clinical trials for experimental vaccines and treatments.
What is the Marburg Virus?
The Marburg virus belongs to the filovirus family, alongside the Ebola virus, and is considered to have a higher mortality rate. According to the Mayo Clinic, the Marburg virus causes hemorrhagic fever, a type of fever that can damage blood vessel walls. Other diseases that cause similar symptoms include dengue fever and yellow fever. Hemorrhagic fever can lead to internal bleeding and can be fatal in severe cases.
Symptoms of the Marburg Virus
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of the Marburg virus include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, bleeding, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
How is the Marburg Virus Spread?
Humans primarily contract the Marburg virus through contact with Rousettus bats (a type of fruit bat found in mines and caves) that carry the virus. However, the specific source of the outbreak in Rwanda remains unclear. Once infected, the virus can be transmitted to others through direct contact with bodily fluids, including through broken skin or mucous membranes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), even surfaces contaminated with bodily fluids, such as bedding or clothing, can spread the virus. Notably, the virus does not spread through the air.
Current Situation of the Outbreak in Rwanda
The latest government updates indicate that Rwanda currently has 36 confirmed cases of the Marburg virus, with 25 individuals receiving isolation treatment. According to WHO statistics, among the 26 confirmed cases as of September 30, 70% involved healthcare workers from two unnamed medical facilities. “Outbreaks in healthcare facilities are not uncommon, especially in resource-limited settings where infection control measures may be inadequate,” said Amira Roess, an infectious disease expert at George Mason University. Rwanda is currently monitoring approximately 300 known contacts of the cases.
International Spread of the Marburg Virus
On September 27, the Rwandan Ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak. So far, only Rwanda has reported this outbreak. Recently, some passengers sought medical attention on a train from Frankfurt to Hamburg due to concerns about the virus. However, all tests returned negative.
In recent years, small-scale outbreaks of the Marburg virus have occurred, including in Guinea in 2021, Ghana in 2022, and first-time outbreaks in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea in 2023. While these outbreaks have been quickly contained, the number of confirmed cases and deaths is concerning.
Risk Assessment of This Outbreak
The WHO has assessed the risk of this outbreak as “very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.”
Are There Vaccines or Treatments Available?
Currently, there are no approved vaccines or treatments. Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana stated that the country is urgently developing a vaccine. The WHO noted that several candidate vaccines are in production, including a collaborative project between the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and the Sabin Vaccine Institute. A team from Oxford University has begun trials of its Marburg vaccine candidates using technology similar to that of COVID-19 vaccines. Confirmed patients should be treated for symptoms with pain relief and maintain good hydration.
How to Prevent Infection with the Marburg Virus?
“The best preventive measures are to maintain good hygiene practices and limit contact with sick individuals,” Roess advised. When in contact with someone showing viral symptoms, wearing a mask is recommended, and sharing food with potentially infected individuals should be avoided. If you believe you may have been exposed to the virus, limit contact with others, monitor symptoms, and report promptly to local health authorities.
Why is the Frequency of Marburg Virus Outbreaks Increasing?
From 1967 to 2017, 13 outbreaks of the Marburg virus were recorded, but five have been documented since 2021, indicating an increasing frequency of outbreaks. Roess pointed out that increased human contact with wildlife, the rise of chronic illnesses, and inadequate medical resources are contributing factors to the frequency of outbreaks. “The global community must work together to fund proactive monitoring and related projects. If not taken seriously, more lives will be at risk.”
