Resulting in 9 deaths, the “Marburg virus” continues to stir fear in Rwanda, alarming health officials. This deadly virus, similar to Ebola, is transmitted through bats and currently lacks an effective treatment or vaccine. The disease, prevalent among healthcare workers so far, spreads through contact and has a high fatality rate. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are closely monitoring the outbreak with 300 contacts under supervision.

The deadly Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, an East African country, has put health authorities on high alert. Similar to Ebola, this virus currently has no treatment or vaccine available. The outbreak has drawn attention nationwide, as the virus is transmitted through human contact, resulting in 9 deaths so far. While there is no effective vaccine or treatment for the Marburg virus, patients are being monitored, and preventive measures are ongoing. The World Health Organization and other international health institutions have begun working diligently to control the outbreak.

Following reports on the fatal outbreak in Central Africa, researchers are accelerating efforts to develop treatments and vaccines against the Marburg virus. As of September 30, 2024, Rwanda reported 27 cases and 9 deaths. Most cases have affected healthcare workers in two health facilities in Kigali. On September 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that patients were receiving treatment in hospitals.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), contact tracing is being conducted with 300 individuals closely monitored. The first reported case of the Marburg virus in Rwanda, although rare, bears a striking similarity to Ebola. The Marburg virus, though rare, with a severe hemorrhagic fever, has a fatality rate ranging between 20% and 90%.

Dr. Marc Siegel emphasizes that there is no treatment for the Marburg virus, and unlike Ebola, there is no vaccine available. Dr. Marc Siegel highlighted in a statement to Fox News Digital that the Marburg virus is highly deadly in humans and, unlike Ebola, currently lacks treatment or vaccine, causing hemorrhagic fever.

Stressing that the transmission of Marburg is difficult, Dr. Marc Siegel emphasized that close contact with bodily fluids is necessary for the virus to spread. The virus is spread by the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) found in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania. An infected person can transmit the disease to others through bodily fluids and contaminated items.

According to the CDC, the initial symptoms of the virus are fever, chills, skin rash, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the advanced stages of the illness, delirium, liver failure, shock, bleeding, and organ failure may occur.

Treatment is solely based on supportive care. To prevent transmission, individuals should avoid contact with the blood and bodily fluids of patients, and items touched by infected individuals should not be handled.