The latest MVD out breaks have create concerns in Rwanda and other countries around it. Marburg Virus Disease Rwanda as one of the most lethal viral hemorrhagic fevers has much in common with Ebola, making people get severe infection with fatal outcomes. It is therefore important to be knowledgeable on the signalment, transmission, prevention measures and response measures in order to contain the situation and or prevent further spread of the disease.
Marburg Virus Disease Rwanda Change In Nature
Marburg virus disease results from Marburg virus, which is an eliminative pathogen and falls under Filoviridae family as the Ebola virus. HIV disease is said to have originated in 1967 with incidents in Germany and Serbia, related to experimentation with African green monkeys. Since then few outbreaks have been reported but have been more severe and more frequent in the sub- Saharan region.
New Outbreaks in Marburg Virus Disease Rwanda
Rwanda has not witness Marburg virus and therefore the fears have arisen because the virus has been experience in neighboring countries like Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo. Due to the closeness and mobility in and out of Rwanda, health chiefs have height surveillance for cases.
So far, no case of Marburg virus disease has been report in the Rwandan territory. But on the other hand, surveillance measures have been enhance especially at the boarder and Rwandan Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO among other partners is observing the situation.
This we are going to see on the following sections by answering the following question: How is Marburg Virus Transmitted?
Symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease Rwanda
Chronic manifestation is initially an acute illness and most of the signs are moderate and like symptoms of other tropical diseases therefore diagnosis at this stage is difficult.
- Fever and chills
- Severe headache
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea (which can be bloody)
- Abdominal pain
- Unexplained bleeding (from gums, nose, or internal bleeding)
Finally, when the disease continues to advance, the patients may experience multi-organ failure shock and death.
Treatment and Prevention
There is no antiviral cure that is available for Marburg virus disease as of this time. Rehydration coupled with the management of symptoms increases the survival rate with the disease. There is research being done to come up with vaccines as well as drugs, but most of them have not fully be produce.
Preventing Marburg virus outbreaks relies on the following measures:
- Do not come into close contact with fruit bats or any cave that might harbor the bats.
- Practice safe hygiene: Medical consensus recommend frequent hand washing with soap and clean water especially during or after visiting hospitals or caring for the sick.
- Wear protective clothing: Medical staff and caregivers should wear gloves scrubs goggles to avoid contact with patients with diseases.
- Safe burial practices: Do not touch objects that could have come into contact with the bodies from victims of Marburg virus disease.
- Travel advisories: Consult announcements made by health organizations on travel to and from the affected regions.
Interview Findings; Marburg Virus Disease Rwanda
In its fight against the introduction and spread of Marburg virus disease, Rwanda is not being proactive. These include:
- Screening at border points: Those arriving from affected areas are undergoing temperature checks; screening for Marburg or other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
- Public health campaigns: The government is raising awareness on the signs of Marburg virus, how it is transmit as well as the measures to take if one develops the disease.
- Rapid response teams: As a measure of preventing the spread of an epidemic, Rwandan Ministry of Health has sets its teams that will undertake early isolation of probable cases and identification of contacts in order to contain the spread.
Today having had experience in managing other viral diseases threats such as ebola in Rwanda the health system of the country is more prepared for the other threats as occasioned by marburg virus disease.
Conclusion
Till date, Rwanda has had no incidences of Marburg virus disease however because the neighboring countries are prone to such, the public health officials are cautious. It is thus necessary to follow the signs of the Marburg virus and the way in which it transmits itself. This realization, watching, and early prevention measures put Rwanda in favorable position to provide its citizens protection against the Marburg virus.