What is Marburg virus? The symptoms after deadly outbreak in Rwanda

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Vaccine trials for the Marburg virus disease (MVD) have begun in Rwanda after the country declared an outbreak of the deadly virus in September, which has already reportedly killed 12 people.

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00:00Rwanda has declared an outbreak of the rare Marburg virus, which is similar to Ebola.

00:07It is highly infectious and has already led to deaths, according to the Rwanda Health

00:11Ministry.

00:12According to the NHS Fit for Travel, the Marburg virus is a rare form of a viral haemorrhagic

00:18fever.

00:19It's found in African bats, with the virus spread by people coming into contact with

00:25bats or their environment, such as in caves or in mines.

00:30It can also be spread through contact with people who are infected with the disease and

00:35also monkeys who are infected with the disease.

00:38Symptoms of the Marburg virus can come on suddenly.

00:41In the initial stages, this can include a severe headache, malaise, high fever, and

00:46progressive and rapid debilitation.

00:49By the third day, you can experience watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping,

00:54nausea, and vomiting.

00:56Symptoms can become increasingly severe, with many patients developing a rash after 5-7

01:02days.

01:03According to GOV.UK, the incubation period of the Marburg virus is between 3-10 days,

01:11but in some cases, it can take up to 21 days for the disease to surface after being exposed.

01:18Vaccine trials are currently underway in Rwanda, with US-based non-profit organisations, Sabine

01:23Vaccine Institute, donating 700 doses.

01:26The vaccine programme is aimed at offering protection to frontline healthcare workers

01:30and those most at risk of catching the virus.

01:33For those planning to travel to Rwanda, there is no travel ban to the country.

01:37However, tourists leaving will be required to fill out a symptom screening questionnaire

01:43to help stop spread of the virus.

01:45According to the NHS, the risk of catching Marburg virus is described as extremely low.

01:50However, if you've recently visited Rwanda and suspect you may have symptoms, it's vital

01:55that you seek rapid medical attention by calling NHS 111 or NHS 24 in Scotland.

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