Kenya government said on Thursday that it had strengthened surveillence at all crossing points following an outbreak of the Marburg Virus Disease in neighboring Tanzania.
Dr Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health in Kenya’s Ministry of Health said, “The Ministry has activated its surveillance and response mechanisms and enhanced surveillance at all border points between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda,” the statement released on Wednesday read in part.
“The Ministry has also directed all County Health Officials to be vigilant to identify and isolate any suspect cases for proper and timely management,” the statement added.
The Ministry has cautioned Kenyans to remain vigilant against the virus which is scientifically classified under Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) and is in the same category as the Ebola Virus, both in symptoms and transmission.
“Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is often a serious and fatal disease caused by the Marburg virus and has a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of up to 88 per cent, but can be much lower with good patient care,” he said.
The symptoms of the virus include severe watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting may follow shortly, with the diarrhea persisting for a week.
Marburg has its roots in West Africa and its patients are said to have often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset up to the time of death.
The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.
There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved to treat the virus. However, supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival.
