Six individuals have died from an outbreak of Marburg virus in Rwanda, the well being minister has introduced.
Sabin Nsanzimana mentioned a lot of the victims had been healthcare employees within the intensive care unit.
Twenty instances have been recognized for the reason that outbreak was confirmed on Friday.
Marburg, with a fatality price of as much as 88%, is from the identical virus household as Ebola. It spreads to people from fruit bats after which by way of contact with bodily fluids of contaminated people.
Signs embody fever, muscle pains, diarrhoea, vomiting and, in some instances, loss of life by way of excessive blood loss.
There aren’t any particular remedies or a vaccine for the virus however a variety of blood merchandise, drug and immune therapies are being developed, in line with the World Well being Group.
Rwanda says it’s intensifying contact tracing, surveillance and testing to assist comprise the unfold.
Authorities are urging the general public to remain vigilant and report all suspected instances.
Neighbouring Tanzania reported an outbreak in 2023, whereas three individuals died in Uganda in 2017.