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The Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda is now “under control,” said Jean Kaseya, Africa’s top public health official, expressing optimism that the country could soon emerge from the outbreak.
Hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola have killed 13 people since the outbreak was first declared in the East African country on September 27.
African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Jean Kaseya said the risk of Marburg disease spreading from Rwanda was almost zero, praising the strong response to the outbreak by various government officials, the news paper said. Az newspaper reported this, citing Euronews.
“The mechanisms they have put in place to trace contacts will not allow them to fly out of Rwanda,” he said.
There is no approved vaccine or treatment for Marburg disease, but Rwanda received a vaccine from the U.S.-based Sabin Vaccine Institute over the weekend that is being tested in health care workers, first responders, and individuals who have been in contact with infected people. received 700 doses of the vaccine. .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday updated its travel advisory for Rwanda, mandating testing for travelers who have recently visited the country.
The latest guidelines urge people to reconsider non-essential travel to Rwanda.
Kaseya said the decision was made without consulting Africa CDC or Rwanda and was disrespectful.
He said Rwanda had been “transparent” in reporting the outbreak and should not be “punished” with a travel ban.
According to the latest information from Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, there are 58 confirmed cases of Marburg virus, of which 15 have recovered. Approximately 346 doses of the vaccine have been administered.
Marburg virus, like Ebola, is thought to originate from fruit bats and is spread to people through close contact with the body fluids of infected people or surfaces such as contaminated bed sheets.
News.AZ
