Horror: Deadly ‘Eye-Bleeding’ Marburg Virus Sparks Chaos in Rwanda: What You Need to Know

Rwanda is currently facing its first outbreak of the Marburg virus, which has already claimed the lives of at least six individuals, including several healthcare workers from the intensive care unit of a hospital.

Since the outbreak began on September 27, the country has confirmed 26 cases. In response, the Rwandan government, as explained by Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana, has adopted strategies such as contact tracing, quarantine measures for those affected, and public health education campaigns to prevent further spread.

 

Understanding the Marburg Virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the Marburg virus as a highly contagious virus with a mortality rate ranging from 24% to 88%. It was first identified in 1967, connected to African green monkeys brought from Uganda.

 

Transmission

The primary host of the Marburg virus is the Egyptian rousette fruit bat, but it can also be transmitted to humans from African green monkeys and pigs. Human transmission occurs through contact with surfaces or bedding contaminated by the virus, as well as through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, such as blood, saliva, and semen.

 

Symptoms

Initial symptoms of the Marburg virus include high fever, severe headaches, and muscle pains. By the third day, affected individuals may experience more severe symptoms like watery diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, and bleeding from various body parts. The WHO notes that the physical appearance of patients in severe stages often includes ghost-like features, expressionless faces, and extreme lethargy. Some patients also develop a non-itchy rash and severe hemorrhagic symptoms within a week.

 

Treatment and Diagnostics

Currently, there is no proven treatment for the Marburg virus; medical care is supportive and includes hydration to prevent dehydration. Diagnostic testing for the virus includes methods such as antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antigen detection tests, serum neutralization tests, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and virus isolation by cell culture.

 

Prevention Measures

Health authorities recommend stringent control measures to limit the virus’s spread. These include avoiding physical contact with infected individuals, refraining from consuming bushmeat or coming into contact with pigs, regular hand washing, and the use of sanitizers.