Rwanda: Guidelines to Curb Marburg Spread Issued, Death Toll Hits 8

Marburg Virus in Microspic View, Sept 2024 Photo: @ssnews

September 30, 2024 Hour: 8:12 pm

In response to the situation, the ministry suggested that people maintain normal business activities while reinforcing personal hygiene measures.

On Monday, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health announced new guidelines to curb the spread of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) following an alarming rise in fatalities.

The death toll from the MVD has reached eight, with 26 confirmed cases and 18 individuals currently in isolation and receiving treatment, the ministry said in a statement late on Sunday.

In response to the situation, the ministry suggested that people maintain normal business activities while reinforcing personal hygiene measures.

According to the statement, citizens are urged to avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of the virus, which include high fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea.

@MountKigaliUni has announced a shift to online learning from October 2nd to 8th, 2024, to curb the spread of the Marburg Virus. This follows similar actions by other institutions in Rwanda, including the U.S. Embassy, which has directed its staff to work from home as part of… pic.twitter.com/ggN164TC04
— East Africa Media Group (@EAMGtv) September 30, 2024

To further contain the spread of the disease, visits to hospitalized patients will be prohibited for the next 14 days, with only one caregiver allowed per patient at a time.

All healthcare facilities are required to implement strict protocols for receiving and managing patients displaying symptoms of the MVD, ensuring full compliance with infection prevention and control measures.

In the unfortunate event of a death due to the virus, the ministry has prohibited wakes and home vigils to mitigate the risk of further transmission. Funeral services for those who succumbed to the MVD will be restricted to a maximum of 50 attendees, while open-casket viewings are not allowed in homes, churches or mosques and will only be conducted in designated areas within healthcare facilities, with strict limits on the number of participants.

The ministry reassured the public that additional measures will be introduced as the situation develops.

During a press conference earlier Sunday, Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana revealed that the ministry is closely monitoring more than 300 individuals identified as contacts of confirmed MVD cases.