How Kenya Is Preparing To Counter Any Possible Marburg Virus Outbreak
Following these developments, Kenya has prepared specialised laboratories across the country to deal with any potential outbreaks should they occur in the country.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Kenya is bracing itself for any eventuality that might arise in the country following the outbreak of the deadly Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Rwanda, which was reported in late September. As of Thursday, 11 people were reported to have died of the virus in the East African country.
Following these developments, Kenya has prepared specialised laboratories across the country to deal with any potential outbreaks should they occur in the country.
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok revealed that the facilities will be used to test samples quickly and effectively to heighten the country's response efforts and readiness against the disease.
"In partnership with the World Health Organization & regional partners, we are supporting enhanced surveillance, testing, & readiness efforts across EA."
KEMRI offices in Nairobi. /KENYA MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KEMRI)
"Together with the Ministry of Health, we’ve intensified public health surveillance, sample testing, & community engagement to prevent the spread of the virus," KEMRI revealed.
So far, there have been no cases of Marburg virus reported in Kenya. However, based on the developments in Rwanda, the Ministry of Health is leaving nothing to chance in ensuring that Kenya is adequately prepared to handle the situation and protect Kenyans.
"KEMRI is ramping up its role in the regional response to Marburg Virus, following confirmation of 26 cases & 8 fatalities in Rwanda, with healthcare workers comprising over 70% of those affected," KEMRI added on its official X page.
What is the Marburg virus?
Marburg is from the same family as Ebola, namely the Filoviridae family (filovirus) of viruses. It has been described as more severe than Ebola.
It causes a haemorrhagic fever, which is a type of fever that can damage the walls of blood vessels, according to information from the Mayo Clinic. Other diseases which produce this type of fever include dengue and yellow fever. A haemorrhagic fever causes internal bleeding, which can be fatal.
The virus was first identified in 1967 in a town in Germany called Marburg, from which it gained its name. Simultaneously, it was identified in Belgrade, Serbia after laboratory work with African green monkeys from Uganda led to human infections.
Since then, there have been outbreaks and sporadic cases in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the case fatality rate to be between 24 and 88 percent. On average, about half of all those who contract the virus die from it. After a person is exposed to the virus, it can take between two and 21 days for symptoms to show, according to the WHO.
“Fatal cases usually have some form of bleeding, often from multiple areas,” the website says, adding that the onset of bleeding can occur within five to seven days.
How does it spread?
Marburg spreads to humans from prolonged exposure to mines or caves where Rousettus fruit bats live. It can also spread between humans, through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, or with surfaces or materials contaminated with those fluids, such as blood.
Is there a vaccine?
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg, but Rwanda's health minister revealed that there are a number of promising candidates that could begin trials soon.
These include vaccine candidates developed by non-profit organizations including the Sabin Vaccine Institute, which has said it is working with Rwandan officials on the outbreak, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).
The team that developed the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at Oxford University began a trial of its Marburg candidate this summer in the UK, using similar technology.
What else is happening?
Rwanda is also monitoring around 300 contacts of known cases. Around 70 percent of confirmed cases as of Friday were revealed to be healthcare workers from two health facilities in the capital, Kigali, although cases have been reported from seven of the country's 30 districts.
As well as spreading in healthcare facilities, the disease can also spread at funerals for those killed by the disease, which involves close physical contact with the deceased in some cultures as they are prepared for burial, said Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia.
Health authorities worldwide are on the alert for any spread to neighbouring countries or beyond.
Is Marburg reaching new places, and why?
Yes - in 2021, Guinea reported West Africa's first-ever case of Marburg. In 2022, Ghana declared its first-ever outbreak, and Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea did the same in 2023.
These generally small outbreaks were brought under control with public health measures. Scientists said the increased frequency of the outbreaks seems to be linked to human encroachment on animal habitats. The Rwanda outbreak is already one of the biggest ever.
