How is it transmitted and what are the symptoms?

On September 27, the first outbreak of Marburg virus was confirmed in Rwanda after it was detected in blood samples from patients the previous day. As of October 3, there were 36 confirmed cases, 11 of which were fatal. This virus, first identified in Germany in 1967, belongs to the same family as Ebola (filovirus) and has a high mortality rate.

Marburg virus transmission

Marburg virus is initially transmitted by direct contact with bats of this species. Rusettuswho live in mines or caves. In humans, transmission occurs primarily through contact with body fluids of infected or deceased people, such as blood, feces, vomit, saliva, urine, sweat, breast milk, semen, and pregnancy secretions. It can also be transmitted by touching surfaces or materials contaminated with these liquids, but is not spread through the air.

Health care workers are especially vulnerable if they do not have adequate protective equipment, which can lead to infection of others, including family members. Patients are contagious as long as the virus is still present in their blood, so specialized monitoring is required until tests show the body is free of the virus.

General symptoms of Marburg virus

Among the most common symptoms of the disease are:

• High temperature
• Back pain
• muscle pain
• Stomach ache
• Loss of appetite
• Vomit
• Lethargy
• skin rashes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• hiccups

WHO outbreak status and response

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the risk of an outbreak in Rwanda as “very high at the national level, high at the regional level and low at the global level.” More than 70% of confirmed cases are among health workers at two health centers in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. There are currently 25 patients in isolation and receiving care, and health authorities are tracing 300 contacts.

Tedros also assured that vaccines against the Marburg virus are being developed and that WHO is ready to facilitate the supply of biological drugs as soon as they become available.