Ministry of Health Issues Alert on Marburg Disease

The Ministry of Health has issued an alert on Marburg virus. In a statement on October 4, 2024, the ministry stated that it had received an alert from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the virus. 

According to the government no cases of the disease have been reported in the country. 

“The Ministry of Health has received an alert from WHO on Marburg Virus Disease (MVD). Currently we have no Marburg cases reported in the country,” the ministry’s statement read in part. 

However, the government has heightened surveillance activities and urged the public to remain vigilant, advising anyone who experiences symptoms to seek medical attention.

“If you experience symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. To prevent the spread, avoid close contact with confirmed cases or symptomatic individuals, frequent hand washing or using hand sanitizer, and avoid sharing personal items. Travelers to affected areas should take extra precautions,” it added. 

A Marburg outbreak has been detected in Rwanda and according to the Africa CDC, as of September 27, 2024, the east African country had 27 confirmed cases, and 9 deaths reported.

What Causes Marburg?

According to the WHO, the Marburg virus causes the Marburg virus disease (MVD). The disease was initially detected in 1967 after outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany and in Belgrade, Serbia. 

It falls in the same group as the Ebola virus which has devastated the Democratic Republic of Congo in past and spread to other countries.

Initially, human MVD infection resulted from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by bat colonies.

However, the Marburg virus is transmitted to people from bats and spreads among humans. 

Transmission

Marburg spreads through human-to-human transmission through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people.

One can also contract the disease through contaminated surfaces and materials such as beddings and clothing. 

Healthcare workers treating those affected have to take precautions with protective gear to protect themselves from catching the disease.

Symptoms of Marburg

According to ministry of health, symptoms of Marburg include high fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Those infected may also develop rashes, have difficulty swallowing, and bleed from various body openings in severe cases

Additionally, people remain infectious as long as their blood contains the virus.

It can be challenging to distinguish Marburg from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, and meningitis. Medical practitioners use different tests to diagnose patients. 

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Treatment

According to the WHO, there is no licensed treatment proven yet to neutralize the virus. However, a range of blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies are being developed to combat the disease. 

Nonetheless, early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves the survival rate of a patient. 

Prevention 

The ministry of health has advised members of the public to avoid close contact with those infected with Marburg disease as it is transmitted through bodily fluids.

One should wear gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment when taking care of ill patients at home.

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Moreover, regular hand washing is recommended after visiting sick relatives in hospital and after taking care of ill patients at home.

Marburg can be fatal and in those case the WHO recommends prompt, safe, dignified burial.

On the spread of mpox in Kenya, two more cases were detected in the country bringing the total number of cases to 12. However, the ministry of health stated that nobody has died from the disease. 

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