{"id":87624,"date":"2024-10-18T09:39:28","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T09:39:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/marburg-outbreak-what-we-know-20-days-later"},"modified":"2024-10-18T10:07:18","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T10:07:18","slug":"marburg-outbreak-what-we-know-20-days-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/marburg-outbreak-what-we-know-20-days-later","title":{"rendered":"Marburg outbreak: What we know 20 days later"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>October 17 marked exactly twenty days since Rwanda declared the Marburg virus outbreak on September 27.<\/p>\n

The virus was confirmed in patients who had shown malaria-like symptoms and were treated for the disease but their condition deteriorated.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of the virus are high fever, severe headaches, muscle ache, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea.<\/p>\n

When the first patients\u2019 condition continued to deteriorate, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and the National Reference Laboratory were prompted to intervene for further examination.<\/p>\n

Blood samples were taken and tested using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the results confirmed the presence of the Marburg virus.<\/p>\n

The New Times looks at what is known \u2013 from confirmed cases, fatalities, recoveries, vaccination, among other things \u2013 since the day Rwanda confirmed its first ever Marburg virus outbreak.<\/p>\n

Cases<\/p>\n

As of October 17, a total of 62 cases of the haemorrhagic disease had been confirmed.<\/p>\n

According to the Ministry of Health, all confirmed cases since the outbreak announcement have been within a hospital cluster in Kigali and their contacts, with all individuals currently under isolation and treatment.<\/p>\n

On October 3, Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana said that healthcare workers comprise over 80 percent of the confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease.<\/p>\n

The minister also said that there was no evidence of community transmission.<\/p>\n

Deaths<\/p>\n

Since the outbreak was declared, there have been 15 confirmed deaths.<\/p>\n

The Marburg fatality rates range between 24 and 88 per cent, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).<\/p>\n

While previous Marburg virus outbreaks typically had case fatality rates sometimes exceeding 80 per cent, Rwanda\u2019s current outbreak has shown a fatality rate of 24 per cent.<\/p>\n

Dr. Nsanzimana attributed this lower rate to early detection of cases and the availability of multiple therapeutic options.<\/p>\n

He said that the efforts to contain the outbreak are giving positive results with the number of deaths from the Marburg virus lower than that of recoveries.<\/p>\n

Recoveries<\/p>\n

To date, 43 individuals have recovered from the disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecoveries now outnumber deaths, which is a positive indication that our efforts are making an impact,\u201d Dr. Nsanzimana noted.<\/p>\n

To be considered recovered, patients must test negative twice, with tests spaced 72 hours apart.<\/p>\n

Testing<\/p>\n

As of October 17, a total of 4,486 tests have been conducted, with 271 new tests performed.<\/p>\n

Treatment<\/p>\n

Rwanda has used two treatment options for Marburg virus: the antiviral drug remdesivir, which has also been used for COVID-19, and monoclonal antibodies specifically developed to combat the Marburg virus disease.<\/p>\n

Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed that these treatments have shown positive results in Marburg virus patients.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Rwanda, in partnership with the WHO, is testing the safety and efficacy of remdesivir in Marburg patients.<\/p>\n

Currently, four individuals are in isolation and receiving treatment.<\/p>\n

Vaccination<\/p>\n

In response to the outbreak, the Sabin Vaccine Institute, an American non-profit organsation, delivered a total of 1,700 vaccines.<\/p>\n

The first shipment of 700 vaccines arrived on October 5, followed by an additional 1,000 doses eight days later.<\/p>\n

The trial vaccination program primarily targets healthcare workers and those at high risk, particularly staff in intensive care units (ICUs) who face greater exposure to the virus.<\/p>\n

As of October 17, 876 vaccine doses had been administered.<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Health assures that the Marburg virus vaccine has undergone all necessary testing phases, including laboratory studies, animal trials, and human trials.<\/p>\n

It has been used in humans since 2018, showing positive data on its safety, tolerability, and immune response.<\/p>\n

The vaccine has also been successfully tested in Uganda, Kenya, and the United States.<\/p>\n

Preventive measures<\/p>\n

To control the outbreak, the Ministry of Health stresses the importance of community engagement.<\/p>\n

Public education about the nature of Marburg virus disease and outbreak containment measures is crucial.<\/p>\n

Preventing human-to-human transmission by avoiding direct contact with infected individuals and their bodily fluids, while healthcare workers adhere to strict infection control protocols.<\/p>\n

Ensuring that burial ceremonies are conducted safely and respectfully to prevent transmission from deceased individuals.<\/p>\n

Maintaining high hygiene standards, such as regular handwashing, particularly after visiting sick relatives or caring for infected individuals.<\/p>\n

To prevent transmission, the ministry suspended hospital visits and school visits.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Rwanda Follow Africa-Press<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. October 17 marked exactly twenty days since Rwanda declared the Marburg virus outbreak on September 27. The virus was confirmed in patients who had shown malaria-like symptoms and were treated for the disease but their condition deteriorated. Symptoms of the virus are high fever, severe headaches, muscle ache, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":87623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,30],"tags":[758,961],"class_list":["post-87624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","tag-rwanda","tag-south-africa-2"],"yoast_head":"\nMarburg outbreak: What we know 20 days later - Rwanda<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"October 17 marked exactly twenty days since Rwanda declared the Marburg virus outbreak on September 27. 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