Rwandans embrace preventive measures to curb spread of Marburg virus disease

Outside a public market in Rwanda's capital of Kigali, Innocent Nyirimana, a local resident, waited for his turn to wash his hands before entering the market.

KIGALI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Outside a public market in Rwanda's capital of Kigali, Innocent Nyirimana, a local resident, waited for his turn to wash his hands before entering the market.

Loudspeakers encourage anyone visiting the market to wash their hands with clean water and soap. Local security personnel are also standing by to provide necessary reminders.

"Now people are beginning to take hygiene more seriously because of the new Marburg virus outbreak," said Nyirimana. "It is out of ignorance that some people ignore precautionary measures meant to control the virus."

Rwanda declared a Marburg virus disease outbreak in late September. The latest figures from its Ministry of Health showed 62 confirmed cases and 15 deaths have been reported.

The government announced several measures to curb the spread of the Marburg virus disease, such as limiting gatherings at funerals for those who succumbed to the deadly disease, suspending visits to boarding schools, and restricting the number of caretakers for hospitalized patients.

The government has also introduced screening mechanisms, identified all contacts of Marburg virus disease patients, and implemented electronic systems to ensure close contacts under quarantine do not move or travel unnoticed.

Alphonsine Mukandera, an official at Ejo Heza market in Kigali, said she ensures that all people entering the market do not flout precautionary measures.

"We sensitize market-goers about the precautionary measures including regular hand-washing, avoiding handshakes, and encouraging payments through mobile money to contain the spread of the virus," she said. "It is our collective responsibility to curb this disease. One person alone cannot fight it."

Jose Kabahizi Bahati, a clothes vendor, said she is worried about the spread of Marburg virus disease, but resolved to strengthen hygiene measures to prevent it.

"Payments are made through mobile money. This is a national issue. Washing hands should become a culture and people should avoid handshakes. I regularly wash my hands, especially after handling cash," she said.

Daniel Byishimo, another market vendor, said he is keen on following guidelines issued by the health ministry and using hand sanitizer regularly.

The ministry has urged residents to avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of the disease, which include high fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Earlier this week, Rwanda launched the world's first clinical trials for Marburg virus disease treatment.

The initiative is implemented in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), which involves testing the safety and efficacy of two treatments: Remdesivir, a drug currently used to treat COVID-19, and MBP091, a specialized antibody developed to fight Marburg virus disease, according to the WHO.

The health initiative is part of a process that began two years ago, with 17 African countries, including Rwanda, being identified by the WHO as willing to conduct clinical trials.

Rwanda has received about 1,700 investigational vaccine doses from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, a nonprofit organization, to bolster the country's response to the Marburg virus disease. Over 700 people at high risk of contracting the virus have already been vaccinated, according to the country's health ministry. ■