Travelers have been issued an urgent warning amid an outbreak of a potentially deadly virus in Rwanda. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has shared its guidance on Marburg virus disease, which has a “high mortality rate”.

According to Travel Health Pro, a total of 58 confirmed cases and 13 deaths have been reported in Rwanda.

This is the first time the disease has been detected in the country.

An emergency response is currently underway in Rwanda, including infection prevention and control measures, contact tracing and case management in affected communities to prevent further spread.

The disease is spread through close contact with an infected person and its symptoms include severe headache, watery diarrhea and bleeding under the skin.

In an update, the UKHSA said: “You may have seen reports of an increase in cases of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda, which we are monitoring closely.

“The Marburg virus belongs to the filovirus family, along with Ebola. It can cause hemorrhagic fever, meaning it can damage blood vessels and cause bleeding, and its presentation can be difficult to distinguish from Ebola virus disease.

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“It can make people very sick and, although the mortality rate is high, it does not spread easily. »

Earlier this month, two people who fell ill on a German train were suspected of carrying the virus. However, other test results came back negative.

Symptoms of Marburg virus

Marburg symptoms usually appear between three and 21 days after close exposure to an infected person.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that Marburg symptoms occur in two phases. The first phase of symptoms lasts five to seven days and includes:

• Fever
• Chills
• Severe headache
• Cough
• Muscle or joint pain
• Sore throat
• Rash – this may have raised and flat areas.

You might feel a little better for a day or two, then other symptoms appear. The second phase of symptoms may include:

• Abdominal or chest pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Unintentional weight loss
• Bloody poop or vomit
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, eyes or vagina
• Confusion.

It is spread by very close contact with the blood, bodily fluids or secretions of an infected person. This can come from direct contact or a surface.

Travel advice

Travel Health Pro advises you to stay informed with up-to-date and reliable information on the specific areas affected, as this may change over time.

“You can become infected with Marburg disease if you come into contact (for example through broken skin or mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of your infected people, as well as with surfaces and materials. (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids,” explains Travel Health Pro.

If you plan to travel to Rwanda, follow precautions to reduce your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water (or hydroalcoholic gel if soap is not available)
• Avoid contact with people with symptoms of Marburg virus disease (MVD), their bodily fluids, cadavers and/or bodily fluids of deceased patients.
• Avoid participating in funerals or burial rituals
• Avoid consulting traditional healers
• Avoid handling, cooking or eating bush/wild meat (meat from wild/feral mammals killed for food)
• Wash and peel fruits and vegetables before consumption
• Practice safer sex
• Avoid visiting mines or bat caves and contact with any wild animals; alive or dead, especially bats
• If you decide to visit mines or caves inhabited by colonies of fruit bats, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks.
• For non-emergency medical care or if you feel unwell while you are away, talk to your insurance company or local healthcare provider for advice on the most appropriate place to access medical care. health care.

The UKHSA adds: “If you become ill within 21 days of returning from Rwanda, call NHS 111 or contact your GP by telephone. Although it is very unlikely that you have Marburg virus disease, you should mention your travel dates and itinerary as well as any potential exposure to the virus.