Rwanda's health ministry announced five more deaths from the Marburg virus, bringing the total fatalities to 11 since the outbreak began on September 27.
This Ebola-like virus, with a fatality rate as high as 88%, causes severe hemorrhagic fever, often leading to bleeding and organ failure.
So far, 29 confirmed cases of Marburg have been reported, with 19 patients currently in isolation and receiving treatment across the country. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that most infected individuals are healthcare workers, and over 290 contacts have been traced.
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Marburg, which belongs to the same filovirus family as Ebola, spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
Despite the outbreak, Rwanda has decided against imposing a lockdown. Instead, the public is advised to avoid physical contact to prevent further spread.
Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for Marburg. However, various potential treatments are being investigated, including blood products, immune therapies, and experimental vaccines.
