By Morara Kebaso
Nairobi, Kenya: The country has been put on high alert following notification of an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Health yesterday urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and report any unusual fever and bleeding symptoms, especially among persons with recent travel to affected areas.
Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah Barasa said the alert is in relation to the strong air and road connections with Rwanda, with daily flights and frequent road travel and trade routes.
“In view of the foregoing, the Ministry is instituting urgent measures to forestall importation of cases and subsequent transmission across the country,” said the CS in a statement last evening, pointing out that surveillance has also been enhanced in all Counties and at all Points of Entry (PoEs).
Effectively, Dr. Barasa issued telephone lines through which Kenyans can call and provide information in this relation. “For any enquiries call the following numbers, 0729 47 14 14 or 0732 35 35 35 or 719,” she said.
Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is an acute, severe viral haemorrhagic (bleeding) fever, and is often fatal. The virus has a case fatality rate of up to 88 percent, and is also highly transmissible with cases that can spread rapidly within a short period of time.
However, according to the CS there are no cases that have been reported in the country.
Some of the symptoms 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.
The Ministry also points out that the virus also causes 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, and vagina.
Transmission is by direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials such as bedding and clothing; contaminated with these fluids.
Health-care workers or caregivers can be infected while treating infected patients.
Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of the deceased can also contribute to the transmission of Marburg Virus Disease.
