An epidemic of the deadly Marburg virus broke out for the first time in Rwanda

For the first time in Rwanda’s history, the Ministry of Health is dealing with an epidemic of Marburg virus – a rare but deadly hemorrhagic disease similar to Ebola – but unlike Ebola, there is no treatment or vaccine for Marburg, and the disease has a mortality rate of 88%.

According to the Ministry of Health, so far 26 people have fallen ill, 18 are undergoing treatment, and eight people have died as a result of the epidemic.

In addition to sending medical supplies, the World Health Organization said over the weekend that it is sending a team of seven global experts on bleeding diseases to Rwanda who can provide guidance to public health experts on the ground. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday it is also sending experts to Rwanda to help with testing and contact tracing.

There are no cases of Marburg’s in the United States, and the risk to Americans from this outbreak is low.

The CDC said it has had a presence in Rwanda since 2002 and is working closely to help the country strengthen its health care system.

According to the WHO, unlike some other sub-Saharan African countries that have dealt with the Marburg virus disease, Rwanda has a strong health care system.

“With an already robust public health emergency response system in the country, WHO is working closely with national authorities to provide needed support to further strengthen ongoing efforts,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Dr. Brian Chirombo, WHO representative in Rwanda, said on Sunday that he believed the country had “the potential and the ability to contain this epidemic very quickly.”

Rwanda’s health ministry said on Sunday that people can continue with their daily activities and the government is encouraging people not to panic as officials believe they have identified all outbreaks of the disease and are taking appropriate actions to prevent its spread.

The virus has spread to seven of the country’s 30 districts. The ministry reported that over 100 people who had contact with the infected were being monitored or isolated. Many of the people who got sick were health care workers.

Marburg is an orthomarburgvirus, a virus that occurs naturally in fruit bats. It belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus.

Marburg can be spread from person to person if someone comes into contact with the body fluids of an infected person. People can also become ill after contact with a patient’s clothing or bedding.

Experts say it’s not an airborne virus like the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, so that makes it easier to control.

After exposure to the virus, it may take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear.

The disease usually begins with a rash and fever. People may vomit and have severe headaches and muscle pain. In severe cases, infected people may bleed from the nose, gums and eyes, and internal bleeding manifests as blood in vomit, urine and stool. Severe blood loss can cause shock and death.

Scientists are working to develop vaccines and treatments, but currently supportive care includes rest and fluid intake.