Grapevine

By Al Jazeera
Sep 30, 2024

Rwanda reports eight deaths linked to Marburg virus

The deadly Marburg virus originates in fruit bats and spreads among people through close contact.

Rwanda says at least eight people have died from the Ebola-like, highly contagious Marburg virus, just days after the country declared an outbreak of the deadly hemorrhagic fever that has no authorised vaccine or treatment.

Like Ebola, the Marburg virus originates in fruit bats and spreads among people through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or with surfaces, such as contaminated bedsheets.

Rwanda, a landlocked country in central Africa, declared an outbreak on Friday.

So far, 26 cases have been confirmed, and eight of the sickened people have died, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said late on Sunday.