Red Cross of Rwanda empowers volunteers to lead efforts against Marburg Virus

As the Marburg virus continues to spread in Rwanda, claiming 11 lives out of 36 confirmed cases, the Red Cross of Rwanda has called on its volunteers in Kigali to take a leading role in efforts to prevent and control the outbreak.

This message was delivered on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, during a training session organized in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), aimed at equipping volunteers with essential knowledge and skills to combat the virus.

During the training, health officials from the Ministry of Health provided detailed information about the Marburg virus, explaining that it spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, rather than through the air. They emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms such as severe headaches, high fever, vomiting, muscle pain, and diarrhea—symptoms that can easily be mistaken for other diseases like malaria.

A key part of the training focused on safe burial practices for individuals who succumb to the virus, as this can be a significant source of transmission.

Phénias Kanyamugenga, a volunteer from Gikondo sector in Kicukiro district, highlighted the importance of this training, stating: "This knowledge will help us educate the public on how to protect themselves from this unusual outbreak. We were taught that we must protect ourselves first before we can protect others, to ensure we are not unknowingly spreading the virus."

His fellow volunteer, Ancille Nyiramurava from Kigarama sector, added, "We learned that it is critical to avoid spreading rumors. We need to give accurate information and educate people on the real preventive measures."

Emmanuel Mazimpaka, the Director of Communications and Polotical Relations at the Red Cross of Rwanda, reiterated that the trained volunteers are expected to collaborate with government authorities to raise awareness in their communities.

"Our volunteers must set an example by following the health guidelines themselves, such as avoiding physical contact like hugging, and maintaining personal hygiene. They will be the first to implement these measures and encourage others to do the same," said Mazimpaka.

He added that volunteers should also work closely with local government officials to spread accurate information to the public through community gatherings and meetings.

Dr. Axel Karamage, an RBC official specializing in epidemic control, explained that Marburg differs from other diseases in how it spreads.

He noted that an individual can carry the virus for two to 21 days without showing symptoms, though in some cases, the onset of symptoms is sudden and can be confused with malaria—marked by a high fever, intense headaches, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Karamage also reminded volunteers to prioritize their safety by adhering to protective measures before providing any first aid or assistance to others.

According to the Ministry of Health’s report on October 2, 2024, Rwanda has recorded 36 cases of Marburg, with 25 patients still under medical care.