The Ministry of Health has reinforced public health surveillance, response measures and community engagement to prevent the Marburg virus from spreading to Kenya.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa confirmed that while no cases have been reported in Kenya so far, the country remains vigilant.
In a letter seen by the K24 Digital team, Barasa said that the Ministry of Health is on high alert, following notification of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda.
“No cases have been reported in the country. Kenya shares strong air and road connections with Rwanda with daily flights and frequent road travel and trade routes,” CS Barasa said.
“In view of the foregoing, the Ministry is instituting urgent measures to forestall the importation of cases and subsequent transmission across the country. Surveillance has been enhanced in all Counties and at all Points of Entry (PoEs).”
Symptoms of MVD
The CS further alerted Kenyans on the symptoms to watch out for which include abrupt onset high fever, severe headache and severe body weakness.
“Muscle aches and pains Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting Bleeding, often from multiple areas, usually reported 5-7 days after onset of fever, such as fresh blood in vomitus and faeces is often accompanied by bleeding from body openings such as the nose, gums,” she added.
Transmission
Barasa went on to say that MVD which is highly contagious is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person, infected animals especially fruit bats, adding that healthcare workers and caregivers are at high risk of contracting the virus.
“Vagina Transmission Direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids,” the CS disclosed.
“Healthcare workers, the caregivers can be infected while treating infected patients and burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of the deceased can also contribute to the transmission of Marburg Virus Disease. Contact with infected animals, particularly fruit bats.”
According to the CS, MVD diagnosis is done through laboratory confirmation in highly specialized laboratories.
Additionally, Barasa said that currently there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for the virus.
Marburg Virus
According to the Ministry of Health, MVD is an acute, severe viral haemorrhagic (bleeding) fever, and is often fatal with fatality rates of up to 88% have been reported.
MVD is also highly transmissible and cases can spread rapidly within a short period.
According to the latest reports by Rwanda Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana, the country has confirmed 46 cases of the deadly virus and 12 deaths caused by the virus, raising concerns about potential cross-border transmission. Health workers are the most affected.
MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK ALERT pic.twitter.com/PO75RqCN9j
— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) October 8, 2024