The Rwandan government has identified the source of the Marburg virus outbreak, linking it to mining activities in caves where bats reside.
Rwanda's Health Minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, confirmed that the first recorded infection involved a miner who worked in these caves. He also emphasized the importance of minimizing miners' contact with bats.
It's worth noting that the spread of the Marburg virus has been accelerating for nearly a month. During this period, 64 cases have been recorded, with 15 fatalities among those infected.
In response to the outbreak, the Rwandan government has halted mining operations and initiated vaccinations for residents and healthcare workers in high-risk areas.
The Marburg virus, resembling Ebola, was first detected in 1967 during outbreaks in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia. With a case fatality rate ranging from 24% to 88% in Africa, the virus previously emerged in Uganda in 2017, Ghana in 2022, and Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania in 2023.
