The Ministry of Health on Tuesday notified Kenyans that it was on a high alert following the outbreak of the Marburg Virus disease in Rwanda.
Marburg Virus Disease is an acute, severe viral bleeding fever that is often fatal and could lead to death. About 88 per cent of the people who have suffered from the disease in the past died.
Despite the disease being highly contagious and transmissible, it can spread rapidly within a short period. However, no cases have been reported in Kenya. Thus, Kenyans seeking to travel to Ruanda were urged to be highly cautious.
“Kenya shares strong air and road connections with Rwanda, with daily flights and frequent road travel and trade routes. Given the foregoing, the Ministry is instituting urgent measures to forestall the importation of cases and subsequent transmission across the country,” the Ministry noted.
According to the Ministry of Health, surveillance has since been enhanced in all counties and at all entry points into the country to curb the spread of the disease.
Among the signs and symptoms linked to the disease include abrupt onset of high fever, severe headache and severe body weakness. A patient could also experience muscle aches and pains.
Other signs include severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting, and bleeding often from multiple areas. However, severe bleeding is usually reported 5-7 days after the onset of fever, such as fresh blood in vomitus and nose.
The disease can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and with surfaces and materials such as bedding, and clothing which are contaminated.
"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," the Ministry of Health stated.
Diagnosis of Marburg Virus Disease is done through laboratory confirmation in highly specialised laboratories, however, for treatment, there are currently no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for Marburg Virus disease.
Following the announcement, Kenyans were urged to avoid close contact with the infected individuals or suspected cases and sharing personal items such as towels, utensils or clothing.
The Ministry of Health further called on Kenyans to wear protective gear when caring for someone with Marburg Virus Disease. Kenyans were also told to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
