RGB Issues New Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Marburg Virus in Churches and Mosques

The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has introduced new measures aimed at curbing the spread of the Marburg virus in churches and mosques. These guidelines come in response to the increasing number of Marburg cases and are intended to prevent the virus from spreading during religious gatherings.

The guidelines mandate that churches and mosques set up proper handwashing stations with clean water and soap or hand sanitizers, as well as conduct temperature checks for all attendees before they enter. These precautions are necessary to reduce the risk of Marburg transmission, especially in crowded worship spaces.

RGB has also called on churches and mosques to encourage their congregants to avoid close contact with anyone displaying symptoms of Marburg or touching the bodies of those who have died from the virus. Moreover, it is now strictly forbidden to conduct funeral ceremonies for Marburg victims in churches or mosques, and organizing large gatherings for funerals is discouraged to prevent further spread of the disease.

These measures come as Marburg has shown a high potential to spread rapidly when people do not maintain proper hygiene and distancing.

The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday, October 6, 2024, that three more people had recovered from the Marburg virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to eight.

So far, 49 cases of Marburg have been confirmed in Rwanda, with 12 deaths and 29 people currently undergoing treatment. No new deaths were reported on October 6, according to the Ministry.

The Ministry of Health has also launched a vaccination campaign, prioritizing healthcare workers and others who have been in contact with infected individuals.

The vaccine, known as Sabin vaccine, was developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute in the United States and has already been administered to 700 people, with more doses expected in the coming days.

Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana emphasized that all the efforts made so far give hope that the virus will be eradicated soon. He urged the public to continue following official health guidelines and to avoid misinformation.

These new RGB guidelines complement ongoing efforts to curb the spread of Marburg, and religious communities are expected to fully comply for the safety of the nation.