Marburg outbreak in Rwanda

By 30th September 2024 Rwanda was declared with the outbreak of deadly Marburg diseases. 27 cases were found on that day and over 200 contacts have been placed under supervision to control the further spread of this deadly disease. 9 of identified people with Marburg disease have since died. The disease is record with a very high rate of 88 percent

Originally Marburg is known to be spread by the Egyptian bats and it was named Marburg because of the first person who was discovered with disease was a German living in Marburg city. The disease is known with a very low spread rate, but the worry is that the number of people who were found with the disease is a little worrying which might indicate that the disease had already spread before being identified

How does Marburg spread

The bats are the that usually transmit Marburg either through direct contact with the human or by eating on the fruit that has been eaten on by the bat. The disease can also be acquired through intermediaries like pigs and monkey. If a human eats an affected meat can still get infected by the Marburg disease.

Once a person contacts the Marburg, he or she can transmit to other people through fluids. The disease is transmitted from one individual to another through direct contact or getting into the contact with already affected individuals.

Signs and symptoms of Marburg

The disease is the part of the same family with Ebola; therefore, you are likely to get the symptoms that the Ebola patient does get. Some of them are;

Heavy fever

Flu-like symptoms

Vomiting

Bleeding and

Brain and nerves issues

How to safeguard yourself against Marburg on your Rwanda safari?

Marburg is not an airborne disease; it is a contact disease which makes it avoidance very easy. It has never bee that vail before however there is a huge concern because of the huge number of people who were found with the disease on the first day. This is what you should do to avoid contacting the Marburg disease

1. Avoid direct contact stranger since the transmission is through direct contact
2. Where possible avoid eating meat. Meat especially for pig and monkey can work as an intermediary in transferring the Marburg. If you must eat meat, make sure that it is properly cooked to ensure that the virus dies through cooking
3. Wash your hands frequently either with soap or using the sanitiser to ensure that in case of acquiring any virus, it can be killed immediately.
4. Contact the hospital when you get any sign of Marburg remember there is no official treatment or vaccination for Marburg virus

Is it still safe to go to Rwanda amidst the outbreak of this deadly disease

Yes, Rwanda is still open for tourist activities and measures has been put in place to ensure that your safety is preserved while in Rwanda. Marburg is not an airborne disease which makes avoiding very easy.

Just make sure that you put on a face mask and avoid getting into direct contact with the people you will meet on your safari in Rwanda.

Popular tour activities in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking at volcanoes national park

You will be able to encounter the endangered great apes in their natural habitats of volcanoes national park

Chimpanzee trekking

You can also choose to do chimpanzee trekking at either Nyungwe national park or Gishwati-Mukura national park. These are another big primate that calls the land of thousand hills their home

Golden monkey trekking

You can also opt to walk with golden monkey either from volcanoes national park or Gishwati Mukura national park

Wildlife viewing Akagera national park

Not miss out encountering various animals including the big five at Akagera national park

Rwanda is also home to other several tour activities including hiking, sport fishing, boat cruise and many more others.

Popular tour packages in Rwanda

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