As concerns over the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda grow, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it will begin screening travelers entering the United States who have visited Rwanda in the past 21 days. This health measure, set to begin on October 14, 2024, aims to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, which has claimed multiple lives in Rwanda.
The Marburg virus is a rare but dangerous hemorrhagic disease, closely related to the Ebola virus. As of now, there are no confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease outside Rwanda, but US health authorities are taking preemptive steps to ensure public safety.
Rising Numbers in Rwanda
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, 56 confirmed cases of Marburg have been reported, with 12 deaths. Many of these cases include healthcare workers, which highlights the contagious nature of the disease in medical environments. The disease can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or by handling contaminated objects such as clothing or bedding.
Marburg virus is not airborne, unlike the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which makes it relatively easier to contain. However, the virus remains highly lethal, with mortality rates reaching up to 90% in severe cases.
Symptoms and Risks
The virus can take up to three weeks to incubate before symptoms appear. Early signs include rash, fever, severe headaches, and muscle aches, which may progress to vomiting, internal bleeding, and shock. In critical stages, patients can bleed from the nose, gums, and eyes, with internal bleeding manifesting in urine, vomit, and stool.
