African country Rwanda says that so far eight people have died from the Ebola-like and highly contagious ‘Marburg virus’. Rwanda’s statement came just days after the country announced an outbreak of deadly hemorrhagic fever. There is no officially approved vaccine or treatment for this fever. Like Ebola, Marburg virus also originates from fruit-eating bats. It spreads between people through contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or surfaces such as contaminated bed sheets.
The Central African country Rwanda announced the outbreak and a day later the first six deaths were recorded. Health Minister Sabin Sanzimana said that so far 26 cases have been confirmed and eight infected patients have died. People have been appealed to avoid physical touch to prevent the spread of infection. Around 300 people who came in contact with those infected with the virus have also been identified and some of them have been kept in isolation centres.
