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What do you need to know about Marburg virus?

2024-10-05 10:00:00, Shëndeti CNA

What do you need to know about Marburg virus?

Rwanda is struggling with an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, with 36 cases reported so far and 11 deaths.

The World Health Organization said this week that the risk of the outbreak is very high in Rwanda, high in the African region and low globally.

What is Marburg virus?

Marburg is a virus from the same family as Ebola. It causes hemorrhagic fever and has an average fatality rate of 50%, according to the WHO, although rates have been as high as 88% in previous outbreaks. Early clinical care and rehydration can improve survival, the UN health agency says.

Symptoms usually include a sudden high fever and extreme headache, as well as vomiting and diarrhea, accompanied by uncontrolled bleeding.

How does it spread?

Marburg is spread to humans by prolonged exposure in mines or caves where Rousettus bats live. It can also spread between people, through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, or with surfaces or materials contaminated with those fluids, such as blood.

Is there a vaccine?

There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg, but there are a number of promising candidates that could begin testing soon, Rwanda's health minister has said. These include vaccine candidates developed by nonprofits, including the Sabin Vaccine Institute, which has said it is working with Rwandan officials on the outbreak, as well as the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)./ CNA





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