The total number of Marburg virus victims in Rwanda now stands at eleven after five more people died from the Ebola-like hemorrhagic fever, the health ministry announced late Tuesday.
This very dangerous virus, with a mortality rate of up to 88%, causes high fever often accompanied by hemorrhages affecting several organs.
Some 29 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak began on September 27, Rwanda’s health ministry said in an update.
Of these, 19 are in isolation and receiving care across the country.
A previous report last Saturday reported six deaths.
Most of the people who contracted the disease are health professionals, the Africa CDC (African Center for Disease Control and Prevention) said on Tuesday. Some 290 contacts were traced, according to the institution.
The Marburg virus is part of the filovirus family, to which the Ebola virus also belongs, which has already caused several deadly epidemics in Africa.
Animals can transmit it to primates living near them, including humans. Human-to-human transmission then occurs through contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
Rwanda has ruled out implementing a lockdown to fight the virus, but called for avoiding all body contact.
There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to fight the virus. However, supportive care – oral or intravenous rehydration – and treatment of specific symptoms increase the chances of survival.
