The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that travelers returning from Rwanda will undergo health monitoring starting this week, and the Ministry of Health also released guidelines for travelers on Sunday morning.
The announcement comes after 11 people died and a further 25 were infected by the Marburg virus, which the country declared an outbreak on September 27.
Like Ebola, this rare disease can be fatal for up to 88% of those infected, depending on the strain of the virus and how the infection is treated. This has put German authorities on alert, and on October 2, two train tracks at Hamburg Central Station were shut down after two train passengers were suspected of having the virus. Both tested negative for the virus.
As of October 2, Rwanda had 36 confirmed cases, including at least 19 health workers, most of whom work in intensive care units. A health alert issued by the CDC on Oct. 3 says some cases are unexplained, indicating additional cases may not be identified or reported.
What is Marburg virus?
Marburg virus disease, also known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, usually occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease was first identified in 1967 when it occurred in Germany and Serbia and is caused by the Marburg or Ravn virus. Egyptian free-tailed bats were the subject of a study by researchers at Tel Aviv University. (Credit: YUVAL BARKAI/Tel Aviv University)
These viruses are naturally present in fruit bats that live in caves in Africa and the Middle East, and can transmit disease to humans and animals through their secretions. Animals can become infected with Marburg disease by eating fruit eaten by bats or by being bitten by an infected bat. Humans can contract the virus through contact with infected animals or contaminated needles, objects, or surfaces.
Marburg disease is caused by contact with body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, sweat, stool, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen from an infected person through broken skin or mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. It spreads. Marburg disease is not an airborne disease.
Symptoms such as fever, rash, and severe bleeding may appear suddenly and worsen quickly. There is no cure for Marburg disease, and infection often leads to severe illness and death.
