Tanzania is the latest African country to have an outbreak of the highly-infectious Marburg virus.
What is the Marburg virus and how dangerous is it?31 people were infected and seven died in simultaneous outbreaksThe Marburg virus was first traced to the African green monkey
Among humans, it is spread mostly by people who have spent long periods in caves and mines populated by bats.However, in the rest of the world, only two people have died from the Marburg virus in the past 40 years - one person in Europe and one in the US.Health experts say the outbreak in Rwanda was confirmed in late September 2024.Rwanda's neighbours Uganda and Tanzania reported Marburg outbreaks in 2017 and 2023, respectively.
Around 300 people in Rwanda who are known to have been in contact with confirmed cases are being monitored.The WHO is sending experts, testing kits and personal protective equipment to support Rwanda's efforts to tackle the outbreak., "the appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing 'ghost-like' drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy.
Many people go on to bleed from various parts of the body, and some die eight to nine days after first falling ill, because of extreme loss of blood and shock.The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often also harbours the virus.How can it be treated?People should also avoid contact with pigs in areas with an outbreak, says the WHO.
Men who have had the virus should use condoms for a year after the onset of symptoms or until their semen tests negative for the virus twice.Porridge recalled after three children die in South AfricaThe BBC sets out to find the man allegedly behind a plot to smuggle 1.2 tonnes of cocaine to Europe.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Outbreak of Deadly Marburg Virus Kills 17 in Equatorial GuineaAt least 17 people have died in an outbreak of the highly contagious Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea, health officials announced. Most of the victims were healthcare workers in a hospital intensive care unit.
Read more »
How Are Coral Transplants Helping Restore Reefs In Tanzania?A South African scientist and conservationists in Tanzania are working to restore coral reefs by cultivating and transplanting corals onto artificial structures.
Read more »
Geoscientists detect rapid uplift at unique volcano in TanzaniaWhen a volcano is about to erupt, the surrounding land puffs up like a squeezed balloon. The technical term is 'transient deformation,' and Virginia Tech researchers have detected and tracked this short-lived movement for the first time using satellite observations of Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active Tanzanian volcano.
Read more »
Police arrest 8 of Tanzania's main opposition figures ahead of planned protestsPolice have arrested Tanzania’s most prominent opposition figures whose party has called for protests against what it says is a crackdown targeting its supporters.
Read more »
A Megamouth Shark’s Surprise Appearance Off Tanzania’s CoastlineMelissa Cristina Márquez is a science communicator, author, wildlife educator, and marine scientist. She specializes in marine biology, conservation, and ocean exploration, with a particular focus on sharks and other marine predators.
Read more »
Tanzania Arrests Opposition Leaders Ahead Of Planned ProtestsTanzanian authorities have arrested several prominent opposition figures, including CHADEMA chairman Freeman Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu, ahead of planned protests against alleged government crackdowns on the party's supporters. The arrests follow a string of incidents targeting CHADEMA members, including the recent killing of a party official.
Read more »