On 27 September 2024, the Rwanda Ministry of Health announced the confirmation of Marburg virus disease (MVD). Blood samples taken from people showing symptoms were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the National Reference Laboratory of the Rwanda Biomedi...cal Center and were positive for Marburg virus. As of 29 September 2024, a total of 26 confirmed cases, including eight deaths have been reported. The cases are reported from seven of the 30 districts in the country. Among the confirmed cases, over 70% are healthcare workers from two health facilities in Kigali.
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The latest disease outbreaks around the world notified to the World Health Organization.
Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan in West Africa July to December 2014 Annex 4
This threat assessment addresses the implications of the ongoing Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in
Rwanda for the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). MVD is a severe disease in humans and,
although uncommon, it has the potential to cause epidemics with significant case fatality. ...All recorded MVD
outbreaks to date have originated in Africa. MVD is not an airborne disease and is considered not to be
contagious before symptoms appear. Direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of infected people
and animals or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces and materials like clothing, bedding and medical
equipment is required for transmission. The risk of infection is minimised when proper infection prevention and
control precautions are strictly followed. There is no approved treatment or vaccine for MVD; however, several
pharmaceuticals and candidate MVD vaccines are under investigation.
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Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. Hazards include pathogen exposure, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence.... This document highlights the rights and responsibilities of health workers, including the specific measures needed to protect occupational safety and health.
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PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Open Access. Please download the pdf-file from the website!
On 27 September 2024, the Ministry of Health of Rwanda confirmed the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), with health-care workers in Kigali particularly affected. While sporadic outbreaks have occurred in various parts of Africa since the first recognized cases in 1967, this o...utbreak is the third largest outbreak of MVD ever recorded to date. Marburg virus disease is a severe disease clinically similar to Ebola disease. With no approved treatments or vaccines for MVD, early intervention for those showing symptoms is crucial for improving survival rates.
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The psychological impacts in face of public health crisis.
It is understandable for people to experience the fear and
anxiety in face of uncertainty; they can help us cope with
the situation in short term. Yet, if the fear and anxiety
turn to a long-term condition or become very intense,
they w...ould not help people, but rather lower one’s ability
to adapt and cope with
the crisis.
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Elderly and people with Chronic Conditions - Mental Health
This report is primarily intended for the community of policymakers and researchers concerned about the rising risks of domestic, regional, and global infectious disease epidemics, and the collective failure to take the coordinated actions required to reduce such risks. These risks include the expec...ted health, economic, and societal costs that are borne by countries, regions, and even all nations in the case of pandemics (which are worldwide epidemics). These risks also include the consequences of increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its spread within regions and globally. A necessary first step is to monitor whether a broad range of stakeholders are acting to prevent outbreaks from becoming epidemics, whether their capacities to respond to epidemics are robust, and whether preparedness to respond to pandemics and limit the resulting economic and health damage is improving. Analyzing the adequacy of these efforts is vitally important for the decisions of policymakers to invest in the public health and disaster-risk management capacities. Early and effective control of disease outbreaks prevents substantial health and economic costs whether or not the disease can spread globally and become a pandemic.
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