Travellers have been issued an urgent warning amid an outbreak of a potentially deadly virus in Rwanda. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has shared guidance on the Marburg virus disease, which has a “high fatality rate”.
According to Travel Health Pro, a total of 58 confirmed cases and 13 deaths have been reported in Rwanda.
This is the first time the disease has been detected in the country.
An emergency response is currently underway in Rwanda, including infection prevention and control measures, contact tracing and case management in affected communities to prevent further spread.
The disease is spread by close contact with an infected person and symptoms include severe headache, watery diarrhoea and bleeding under the skin.
In an update, the UKHSA said: “You may have seen reports about a rise in cases of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda, which we are monitoring closely.
“Marburg virus belongs to the filovirus family, along with Ebola. It can cause haemorrhagic fever, meaning it can damage blood vessels and cause bleeding, and its presentation can be hard to distinguish from Ebola virus disease.
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“It can cause people to become very poorly and while it has a high fatality rate, it does not spread easily.”
Earlier this month two people who took ill on a German train were suspected to have the virus. However further test results came back negative.
Symptoms of Marburg virus
Symptoms of Marburg generally appear between three to 21 days after close exposure to an infected person.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that symptoms of Marburg happen in two phases. The first phase of symptoms lasts five to seven days and includes:
- Fever
- Chills
- Severe headache
- Cough
- Muscle or joint pain
- Sore throat
- Rash – this might have raised and flat areas.
You might get a little better for a day or two, then additional symptoms start. The second phase of symptoms can include:
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Unintended weight loss
- Bloody poo or vomit
- Bleeding from your nose, mouth, eyes or vagina
- Confusion.
It is spread through very close contact with the blood, bodily fluids or secretions from an infected person. This can be from direct contact or from a surface.
Advice for travellers
Travel Health Pro advises you remain aware of up-to-date, reliable information on specific areas affected, as these may change over time.
“You can become infected with Marburg disease if you have contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids,” Travel Health Pro says.
If you plan to travel to Rwanda, follow precautions to reduce your risk of infection:
- Wash hands regularly and carefully using soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap is unavailable)
- Avoid contact with people with symptoms of Marburg virus disease (MVD), their bodily fluids, corpses and/or bodily fluids from deceased patients
- Avoid participating in funeral or burial rituals
- Avoid visiting traditional healers
- Avoid handling, cooking, or eating bush/wild meat (meat of wild/feral mammals killed for food)
- Wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consumption
- Practise safer sex
- Avoid visiting mines or bat caves and contact with all wild animals; alive or dead, particularly bats
- If you decide to visit mines or caves inhabited by fruit bat colonies, wear gloves and other appropriate protective clothing, including masks
- For non-urgent medical care or if you become unwell whilst you are away, speak to your insurance company or local healthcare provider for advice on the most suitable place to access healthcare.
The UKHSA adds: “If you become ill within 21 days of returning home from Rwanda, call NHS 111 or contact your GP by phone. Although it is very unlikely you have Marburg virus disease, you should mention your dates and itinerary of travel and any potential exposure to the virus.”
