A devastating outbreak of the highly infectious Marburg virus has claimed 12 lives in Rwanda, prompting the United States to caution its citizens against traveling to the East African nation. The Rwandan government has confirmed 41 cases of the Ebola-like disease, primarily affecting healthcare workers.
The US State Department has elevated its travel advisory to level three, urging Americans to “exercise increased caution” when considering travel to Rwanda. This warning falls just shy of the highest level four advisory, which advises against all travel.
Marburg virus is characterized by its alarming fatality rate of up to 88 percent, often accompanied by severe bleeding and organ failure. The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with infected fruit bats and belongs to the same filovirus family as Ebola.
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In response to the outbreak, Rwanda has implemented stringent travel measures, including temperature checks, passenger questionnaires, and hand-sanitizing stations at departure points. Authorities are also conducting a vaccination campaign using 700 trial vaccines, despite the absence of officially approved vaccines and antiviral treatments.
Rwandan health officials are racing against time to contain the spread of the virus, emphasizing the importance of self-monitoring for symptoms such as fever. Potential treatments, including blood products and immune therapies, are being evaluated.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, offering support and expertise to combat the outbreak. As Rwanda struggles to contain the Marburg virus, the global health community remains vigilant, recognizing the devastating potential of this highly infectious disease.
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