Six people have died in Rwanda following an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, according to Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana.
Most of the victims were healthcare workers in an intensive care unit. Since the outbreak was confirmed on Friday, 20 cases have been reported.
Marburg, a virus from the same family as Ebola, has a fatality rate of up to 88%. It is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.
Symptoms include fever, muscle pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, death from extreme blood loss.
Although no specific treatments or vaccines exist for the virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that blood products, drugs, and immune therapies are under development.
In response, Rwandan authorities are intensifying efforts, including contact tracing, surveillance, and testing, to curb the spread. Approximately 300 people who came into contact with affected individuals are being monitored.
Minister Nsanzimana urged the public to avoid physical contact to limit transmission. Authorities have also advised citizens to practice good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing with soap or using sanitizer, and to report any suspected cases immediately.
Most of the cases have been reported in the capital, Kigali, prompting the US embassy to advise its employees to work remotely for the next week. This marks the first confirmed Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda. Neighboring Tanzania experienced an outbreak in 2023, and Uganda reported three deaths from the virus in 2017.
