After the world’s experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, health officials are on high alert as two new viral outbreaks emerge, threatening global health.
Rwanda’s Marburg Virus Outbreak
Rwanda is dealing with its first outbreak of the Marburg virus, a deadly relative of the Ebola virus with a fatality rate of about 88%. As of now, 62 cases have been confirmed, with 38 recoveries and 15 deaths. Nine patients remain under treatment, with most showing signs of improvement, according to Rwanda’s Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana.
The outbreak, declared on September 27, was initially mistaken for malaria until it became clear that the treatment was ineffective. Health officials had already been infected by the time the Marburg virus was identified. However, Rwanda’s response has since improved, with new infections decreasing by more than 50% over the last three weeks.
Although there are no licensed vaccines or treatments for Marburg, several vaccines are in early-stage clinical trials. The Sabin Vaccine Institute has delivered 1,800 doses of a single-dose clinical trial vaccine to Rwanda, with 856 high-risk individuals, including health care workers, already vaccinated.
U.S. Implements Enhanced Screening for Travelers
In response to the outbreak, the U.S. introduced enhanced health screening measures for travelers arriving from Rwanda, effective from October 15. Passengers must fly directly into New York’s JFK, Chicago O’Hare, or Washington-Dulles airports, where they will undergo temperature checks and answer questions about symptoms and potential exposure to the virus. Although the risk of Marburg in the U.S. remains low, these precautions are in place out of an abundance of caution.
Passengers who clear the screening but later experience symptoms such as fever or headaches are advised to isolate and seek medical attention immediately.
Marburg Virus Transmission and Symptoms
The Marburg virus is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, semen, and sweat. While it is not airborne, the virus can spread through close personal contact. Initial symptoms include headache and fever, which can escalate to nausea, diarrhea, and internal bleeding if untreated.
The virus is typically transmitted to humans through contact with fruit bats or by consuming infected bats. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, with hopes of containing the outbreak before it spreads further.
Mpox Continues to Spread Across Africa
While the Marburg outbreak is a pressing concern, another virus, mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), is also spreading across Africa. Over the past week, Zambia and Zimbabwe reported their first cases of mpox, with a total of 42,238 cases and 1,100 deaths reported across the continent this year.
A new variant of mpox, Clade 1b, is believed to spread more easily through close personal contact, contributing to a significant rise in cases. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicenter, with children particularly affected due to a lack of immunity following the cessation of smallpox vaccinations decades ago.
African health officials are calling for urgent international support, including vaccines and funding, to contain the mpox outbreak. DR Congo, Rwanda, and Nigeria have already begun administering vaccines, with more countries expected to follow suit in the coming days.
Both the Marburg and mpox outbreaks highlight the ongoing challenges of preventing and responding to viral infections, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources. Global cooperation and swift action will be critical in mitigating the impact of these deadly viruses.
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