Supplemental Info:

According to the WHO:

• Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.

• Case fatality rate of up to 88%

• Once introduced in the human population, Marburg virus can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) 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.

• Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed MVD.

• Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of the deceased can also contribute in the transmission of Marburg virus.

• People cannot transmit the disease before they have symptoms and remain infectious as long as their blood contains the virus.

• Marburg generally has more hepatic involvement than with Ebola which can result more severe disease.

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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kigali

Location: Rwanda / United States

October 15, 2024

• Read the Department of Health and Human Services Fact Sheet on HHS Actions to Support Response to Marburg Outbreak in Rwanda.

• If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route.

• Visit the CDC Travel Notice on Marburg in Rwanda, which has information on the outbreak.

• Review the State Department’s Travel Advisory for Rwanda.

• Learn more about the signs and symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease as well as risk factors.

• Travelers should separate themselves from others (isolate) and seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days). When able, travelers should call ahead before going to a healthcare facility and tell the healthcare facility that they’ve been to an area with MVD.

• Check with your travel insurance provider on evacuation options should you fall ill while in Rwanda.

• U.S. citizens in Rwanda as well as potential travelers should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to receive important emergency information as well as monitor local news, including updates from Rwanda’s Ministry of Health.

Assistance:

• U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda

  30 KG 7 Avenue (Kacyiru)

  +250-252-596-400

  ACSKigali@state.gov

  https://rw.usembassy.gov

• State Department – Consular Affairs

  +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444

• Rwanda Country Information

• Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.

• Follow us on Facebook and X/Twitter

View the Original:

https://rw.usembassy.gov/health-alert-u-s-embassy-kigali-6/