The Federal Ministry of Health issued a precautionary travel advisory due to an outbreak of the Marburg virus in Rwanda, Africa. The document indicates that the risk level is high, so it is recommended to avoid all non-essential trips to this destination.
The agency also reported that this disease is grave and often mortalbelonging to the same family as Ebola.
How is the Marburg virus spread?
He Marburg virus It is transmitted by direct contact of broken skin or mucous membranes with sangre, secretions, organs or others body fluids of infected people, as well as with contaminated surfaces and materials with such liquids, such as clothing or bedding, where the virus can persist for four to five days. Furthermore, another route of contagion is handling infected live or dead animals.
Marburg symptoms
The Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion indicated that the initial symptoms of the virus appear among two and 21 days after contact with a sick person.
Among the first symptoms are:
- Severe high fever
- General malaise
- severe headache
- muscle pain
Other symptoms that may appear later are:
- skin rashes
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomit
Finally, they can present hemorrhagic manifestations, as presence of fresh blood in vomit and feces, nose, gum or vaginal bleeding.
Is there a vaccine against the Marburg virus?
The notice emphasizes that There are no vaccines or specific treatments for this viral disease.
The digital document adds that, until October 10, 2024he Rwanda Ministry of Health has confirmed 58 cases y 13 deathswith a lethality of 22%.
Can it spread to other countries?
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers that there is a risk of international spreadsince confirmed cases have been reported in Kigalithe capital of Rwanda, which has a international airport and road networks connecting to several cities in East Africa.