Marburg virus has already led to the announcement state of the epidemic last year in Tanzania. Now the disease is making itself felt again and has affected the neighboring one Rwanda. The threat is taken very seriously by local authorities. So far, there have been several deaths.
The boss spoke on the matter on Thursday WHO. – I assess the risk Marburg virus outbreak as very high at the national level, high at the regional level and low at the global level, he said w Thursday Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusquoted by Reuters.
The Marburg virus caused an epidemic. Rwanda cooperates with WHO
W Rwanda 11 deaths confirmed from highly contagious virus – no vaccine or treatment approved yet. Total identified 36 cases of infections – AP reports. The authorities are taking intensive measures to limit the spread of the pathogen According to the AP, the first cases in Rwanda were reported on Friday, and the first six deaths were reported a day later.
The source of the disease has not yet been determined. Rwandan Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana explained that the incubation period of the virus, i.e. the time from infection to the appearance of symptoms, can range from three days to three weeks. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and in extreme cases, death from severe hemorrhage.
WHO increases its support and cooperates with the government of Rwanda. Embassy USA in Kigali advised its employees to work remotely and avoid office visits. In the past Marburg virus epidemics and single cases of this disease have been reported in other countries in the region: Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, KenyaRPA, Uganda i Ghanie.
Alarm at the station in Hamburg. The virus was suspected in students
On Wednesday afternoon at the main railway station in… Hamburg virus alarm has been triggered. It was suspected that the 26-year-old German medical student and his partner, who came from… Rwandyare infected with Marburg.
They were traveling on an ICE train coming from Frankfurt am Main and had flu-like symptoms. The couple underwent tests, the results of which are reported by German media. Ultimately, both people were examined at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf tested negative for the presence of a deadly virus.
According to the social welfare authorities in Hamburg the student and his girlfriend have never had any ailments or symptoms typical of the Marburg virus. The student, as he himself admitted, had two contacts with a patient in Rwanda who was infected with this virus. However, he was to wear appropriate protective equipment, and his girlfriend was to have no contact with sick people.
The Marburg virus was first detected in Germany
The disease caused by the Marburg virus first appeared in 1967 among laboratory workers in… Marburg w Hesse. The virus is closely related to the virus Ebola and considered as more dangerous.
Except for the Marburg epidemic Rwanda recorded six cases mpox – a disease caused by a virus related to smallpox, but with a milder course. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypoxalso occurred in other African countries, and WHO declared a global health emergency.
Rwanda recently launched a vaccination campaign against mpoxand further vaccine deliveries are expected. Most cases of this disease were recorded in the neighboring city Congowhich is the epicenter of the health crisis.
Sources: Reuters, AP, PAP, “Image”
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