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KIGALI. – Rwanda has pinpointed the source of an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, linking it to mining activity in a cave inhabited by fruit bats.
During a briefing on Thursday, Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana confirmed that the initial case of the virus, known as the ‘index case’, likely emerged from a mining site, emphasising the importance of minimising human interaction with bats.
The outbreak, which began less than a month ago, has resulted in 64 confirmed cases and 15 deaths, according to a report by the Rwandan Health Ministry published on X (formerly Twitter).
Health authorities swiftly halted all mining operations at the cave site and are conducting health checks on miners who may have been exposed.
“We’ve brought together different teams from vets, epidemiology, genomic surveillance and lab diagnostics, to test these animals and also people,” the health minister said.
“It’s very important for the scientific community to study the animal perspective and humans, but also the environment.”
The government has launched a targeted vaccination campaign for healthcare workers and those in high-risk zones, with over 1,300 people inoculated.
Marburg virus disease, formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever and first identified in 1967 following simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, is a highly infectious illness with symptoms similar to Ebola. – RT.com
Online Reporter