Rwandan authorities have imposed restrictions on funeral sizes for victims of the Marburg virus in a bid to control an outbreak of this highly contagious disease. The health ministry confirmed the outbreak on Friday, reporting eight fatalities, marking Rwanda’s first experience with the virus.
Marburg, related to Ebola and with a fatality rate of up to 88%, spreads from fruit bats to humans and through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. To mitigate its spread, the health ministry has mandated that no more than 50 people can attend funerals of those who have died from the virus.
Despite these measures, normal activities are allowed to continue in the country. The advisory issued on Sunday also urged people to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms, which include fever, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In addition, the guidelines specify that hospital patients will not be allowed visitors for the next 14 days, and each patient may only have one caregiver at a time. This is particularly significant in many developing countries, where family members often assist with basic care.
On Saturday, the health minister noted that most victims had been healthcare workers in a hospital intensive care unit. Dr. Nahid Bhadelia from Boston University highlighted the challenge of controlling the virus’s spread in densely populated areas like Kigali, as previous outbreaks have been easier to manage in remote rural settings. However, she expressed optimism, citing Rwanda’s strong public health infrastructure.
The Rwandan government is ramping up contact tracing, surveillance, and testing efforts, with health officials currently tracking around 300 individuals who had contact with those infected. Authorities are also promoting good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing.
This marks the first confirmed case of Marburg in Rwanda, following outbreaks in neighboring Tanzania in 2023 and a previous incident in Uganda in 2017.