• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Legal
  • Technology and Science
  • Opinion
  • Columns
  • Exposé
  • World
  • Lifestyle
HT Exclusive: How Worried Should Africa Be About The Rise Of Marburg Virus?

HT Exclusive: How Worried Should Africa Be About The Rise Of Marburg Virus?

12 months ago
Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

1 hour ago
India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

2 hours ago
South Africa: Court Ruling Allows Men To Adopt Wives’ Surnames

South Africa: Court Ruling Allows Men To Adopt Wives’ Surnames

6 hours ago
MWC Kigali
Ghana To Receive West Africans Deported From US

Ghana To Receive West Africans Deported From US

8 hours ago
South Africa's Economy Stalls With 0.1% Growth As Structural Challenges Persist

South Africa Records 0.8% Growth In Q2 2025

19 hours ago
Thursday, September 11, 2025
  • About
  • HT Management
  • Privacy Policy
Heritage Times
No Result
View All Result
Translate |
  • Login
  • Politics
    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    At Washington Meeting, Trump Confronts Ramaphosa With Video Evidence Of “Genocide” Against Whites

    Trump Not Attending G20 Summit Taking Place First Time In Africa — White House

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    Uganda: “Missing” Student Jailed Over TikTok Video Criticizing President Yoweri

    Uganda: Opposition Figure Arrested In Court During Colleagues Bail Hearing

    Burundi’s Nibigira Emerges President Of Central Africa’s Regional Bloc

    Burundi’s Nibigira Emerges President Of Central Africa’s Regional Bloc

    Senegal: Government Reshuffles Cabinet Amid Economic Tension

    Senegal: Government Reshuffles Cabinet Amid Economic Tension

    Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Resigns After Party’s Electoral Woe

    Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Resigns After Party’s Electoral Woe

    UK: Deputy PM Blames “Inaccurate” Advice For Tax Error

    UK Deputy Prime Minister Quits Over Tax Error

  • Economy
    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

    African Leaders Demand Climate Justice At Ethiopia Summit 

    African Leaders Demand Climate Justice At Ethiopia Summit 

    Kenya: 66,000 Jobs At Risk As AGOA Deal Ends

    Africa’s Super Banker Resumes As AfDB President, Promises To Harness Africa’s Youthful Energy, Chart Bold Compass For Transformation

    AfDB President Unveils Four Urgent Priorities For First 100 Days In Office

    AfCFTA Key To Shielding Africa From Global Trade Shocks – Mene

    AfCFTA Key To Shielding Africa From Global Trade Shocks – Mene

    Registration Opens For MWC25 Kigali, Africa’s Biggest Connectivity Event

    Registration Opens For MWC25 Kigali, Africa’s Biggest Connectivity Event

    Zimbabwe Pays First Compensation To White Farmers Affected By Land Reforms

    Zimbabwe To Commence Export Of Blueberry To China

  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Legal
  • Tech & Science
  • Opinion
  • Exposé
  • Exclusive Videos
  • Niger Delta
  • World
  • Politics
    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    France Gets New Prime Minister After Bayrou’s Resignation

    At Washington Meeting, Trump Confronts Ramaphosa With Video Evidence Of “Genocide” Against Whites

    Trump Not Attending G20 Summit Taking Place First Time In Africa — White House

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    Ivory Coast: Former First Lady Cleared To Contest Presidential Election

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    US Deports Sierra Leone Coup Figure Charles Mbayo Over Human Rights Crimes

    Uganda: “Missing” Student Jailed Over TikTok Video Criticizing President Yoweri

    Uganda: Opposition Figure Arrested In Court During Colleagues Bail Hearing

    Burundi’s Nibigira Emerges President Of Central Africa’s Regional Bloc

    Burundi’s Nibigira Emerges President Of Central Africa’s Regional Bloc

    Senegal: Government Reshuffles Cabinet Amid Economic Tension

    Senegal: Government Reshuffles Cabinet Amid Economic Tension

    Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Resigns After Party’s Electoral Woe

    Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Resigns After Party’s Electoral Woe

    UK: Deputy PM Blames “Inaccurate” Advice For Tax Error

    UK Deputy Prime Minister Quits Over Tax Error

  • Economy
    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    South Africa: Ramaphosa Sends Officials On Trade Negotiation Trip To US

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

    Ethiopia Unveils Africa’s Largest Dam Amid Egypt Tensions

    African Leaders Demand Climate Justice At Ethiopia Summit 

    African Leaders Demand Climate Justice At Ethiopia Summit 

    Kenya: 66,000 Jobs At Risk As AGOA Deal Ends

    Africa’s Super Banker Resumes As AfDB President, Promises To Harness Africa’s Youthful Energy, Chart Bold Compass For Transformation

    AfDB President Unveils Four Urgent Priorities For First 100 Days In Office

    AfCFTA Key To Shielding Africa From Global Trade Shocks – Mene

    AfCFTA Key To Shielding Africa From Global Trade Shocks – Mene

    Registration Opens For MWC25 Kigali, Africa’s Biggest Connectivity Event

    Registration Opens For MWC25 Kigali, Africa’s Biggest Connectivity Event

    Zimbabwe Pays First Compensation To White Farmers Affected By Land Reforms

    Zimbabwe To Commence Export Of Blueberry To China

  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Legal
  • Tech & Science
  • Opinion
  • Exposé
  • Exclusive Videos
  • Niger Delta
  • World
No Result
View All Result
First with the News

HT Exclusive: How Worried Should Africa Be About The Rise Of Marburg Virus?

September 30, 2024
in Exposé, Top Stories
0
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi

Threat of viral diseases in Africa is an ongoing battle, from the deadly Ebola virus to the persistent threat of malaria, Africa’s health systems have historically faced immense challenges. But now, a new contender is looming on the horizon, raising concerns across the continent. It’s the Marburg virus.

Relatedreading

Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

Recent cases in Rwanda have sparked urgent action, drawing comparisons to Ebola, as the two share a common family of viruses. With several confirmed cases, rising fatalities, and increasing global attention, it is essential to ask: how worried should Africa act with the rise of the Marburg virus? What does this mean for healthcare workers, governments, and the general population?

MWC Kigali MWC Kigali MWC Kigali
ADVERTISEMENT

A Growing Threat
Last Saturday, Africannews reported that Rwanda has been rattled by the confirmation of over 20 Marburg virus cases, with multiple deaths confirmed. The World Health Organization (WHO) immediately mobilized, sending supplies from Kenya to assist in containing the outbreak. Rwanda’s response, though swift, is part of a larger narrative of how African nations respond to sudden viral threats.

Marburg virus is not new, but it is unfamiliar to many. First identified in 1967 in Germany after workers were exposed to infected monkeys imported from Uganda, the virus has since caused sporadic outbreaks in Africa. Its symptoms, including severe hemorrhagic fever, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding, make it a formidable opponent.

With a fatality rate that can reach up to 88%, Marburg can be just as deadly as Ebola, to which it is closely related. The virus is spread primarily through contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, including blood, saliva, sweat, and excretions, as well as through contaminated materials like bedding or clothing.

Given these alarming characteristics, the Marburg virus has naturally raised concerns, but how justified is this fear, and what should Africa do in response?

Real Cases, Real Lives
Behind the statistics of infections and fatalities lie real people. In Rwanda’s districts, families are grieving their loved ones lost to the virus. A mother of three, known locally as Marie, lost her husband to Marburg after he initially showed symptoms of what seemed to be a simple fever. Her community rallied around her, offering condolences, but it was too late as her husband had already unknowingly infected several others, including a neighbor who had helped carry him to the clinic. The healthcare system, though well-prepared for many emergencies, found itself racing to respond to a virus that it hadn’t anticipated would spread so quickly.

Healthcare workers, the frontline soldiers in the fight against this invisible enemy, face the brunt of the danger. Recall that in Liberia, during the Ebola epidemic, nurses like Alice Johnson risked their lives every day to care for the infected, often with inadequate protective gear. Today, healthcare workers in Rwanda, Tanzania, and other affected regions are recalling these painful memories as they confront Marburg. Although there have been advances in equipment and protocol, the emotional and physical toll is enormous. These workers risk not just their health, but also the lives of their families, as the virus can be unknowingly carried home.

“I lost a colleague to Ebola years ago, and the fear is back with Marburg, we are better prepared now, but it’s never easy. One mistake, one breach in protocol, and we could lose more people,” says Dr. James Nkurunziza, a Rwandan healthcare worker.

Dr. Nkurunziza’s story reflects the human cost of outbreaks like Marburg. Every case is not just a number but a person, a family member, or a caregiver. The risk extends beyond those infected to the healthcare systems themselves, which are already stretched thin from the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises.

The Healthcare Challenge
Healthcare workers are not only battling the virus, they are also combating fear, misinformation, and stigma. When the Ebola outbreak peaked, entire villages shunned survivors or those suspected of being infected. Today, with the Marburg virus, the stigma continues to plague communities. Some people refuse to seek help due to fear of being ostracized or placed in isolation wards, creating a cycle of hidden infections that could rapidly spiral out of control.

The experience of healthcare workers in Uganda, where a 2017 outbreak of Marburg killed several people, sheds light on the importance of early detection, isolation, and community engagement. During that outbreak, nurses and doctors had to fight not just the disease, but also public mistrust. Uganda’s health authorities ultimately contained the virus by combining swift medical interventions with community outreach efforts, ensuring that people knew the dangers of the virus and understood why certain measures, such as quarantines are necessary.

Learning from these past outbreaks, Rwanda has adopted similar measures, especially with the support of the WHO. Dozens of people who came into contact with the infected are now being closely monitored, and efforts are being ramped up to track down any potential new cases before they spread further. Cross-border measures are also being implemented to contain the virus within the country’s borders and prevent a wider African epidemic.

Yet the effectiveness of these efforts hinges on the ability of local governments and health systems to sustain them. African nations have improved their capacity to respond to health crises, but many still lack the resources and infrastructure needed to handle prolonged outbreaks of such a deadly virus.

What Can Governments Do?
The responsibility to curb the spread of Marburg lies not just with health workers, but also with governments. There are several key areas where urgent action is needed:

Russia signs military cooperation deals with 40 african countries

Early Detection and Response: African leaders need to invest in early detection systems that can identify viral outbreaks before they escalate. This includes robust surveillance systems, especially in rural areas, where outbreaks often begin but go unnoticed for days or weeks.

Equipping Healthcare Workers: Medical personnel need sufficient protective equipment, from gloves and face shields to full-body hazmat suits, to protect themselves from infection. African countries must partner with global health bodies like WHO to ensure these resources are available and accessible.

Public Awareness Campaigns: The fear and stigma surrounding viruses like Marburg can be as dangerous as the virus itself. Governments must implement education campaigns that inform the public about the virus, how it spreads, and how to protect oneself without inciting panic. Uganda’s success in containing its Marburg outbreak through community engagement shows the importance of transparent communication.

Cross-Border Cooperation: In our interconnected world, the spread of diseases does not respect borders. Marburg cases in Rwanda could easily spread to neighboring countries, making regional cooperation essential. African governments should collaborate to monitor travelers and coordinate responses across borders.

Investment in Research and Vaccines: While there is no vaccine for Marburg yet, African governments must invest in scientific research and partner with international organizations to develop one. Recent advances in Ebola vaccines offer hope that a Marburg vaccine could be developed, providing crucial protection for those on the front lines of future outbreaks.

How Worried Should Africa Be?
How worried should Africa be with the rise of the Marburg virus? The answer lies not in fear, but in preparation and proactive action. The threat is real, Marburg is a deadly virus with the potential to cause widespread harm if left unchecked. But Africa has phased down similar threats before, and with the right steps, it can do so again.

Governments must act swiftly, ensuring healthcare workers are protected and equipped, the public is informed, and surveillance systems are strengthened. The international community, including organizations like WHO, must continue to provide support, both in terms of medical supplies and expertise.

Ultimately, the rise of the Marburg virus is not just a test of Africa’s health systems, it is a test of global solidarity, and we must all be vigilant, cooperative, and compassionate. The question is not if Africa should worry, but how Africa and the world will respond. The world cannot afford to ignore the Marburg virus.

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

2025 Club World Cup: FIFA Unveils 12 Host Stadiums 

Next Post

Rwanda Cuts Number Of Funeral Attendees Over Marburg Virus Scare

Related Posts

Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

September 11, 2025
India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

September 11, 2025

South Africa: Court Ruling Allows Men To Adopt Wives’ Surnames

Ghana To Receive West Africans Deported From US

South Africa Records 0.8% Growth In Q2 2025

Trump’s Ally, Kirk Dies From Gunshot Injury At Utah Rally

Next Post
Rwanda Cuts Number Of Funeral Attendees Over Marburg Virus Scare

Rwanda Cuts Number Of Funeral Attendees Over Marburg Virus Scare

Please login to join discussion
MWC Kigali MWC Kigali MWC Kigali
AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2 AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2 AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2

Updates

Plugin Install : Widget Tab Post needs JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

September 11, 2025
India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

September 11, 2025
South Africa: Court Ruling Allows Men To Adopt Wives’ Surnames

South Africa: Court Ruling Allows Men To Adopt Wives’ Surnames

September 11, 2025
Ghana To Receive West Africans Deported From US

Ghana To Receive West Africans Deported From US

September 11, 2025
JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia
ADVERTISEMENT

Most Recent

Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Israeli Airstrike In Qatar

September 11, 2025

India To Inject $680 Million Into Mauritius’ Economy

September 11, 2025

South Africa: Court Ruling Allows Men To Adopt Wives’ Surnames

September 11, 2025

Ghana To Receive West Africans Deported From US

September 11, 2025

South Africa Records 0.8% Growth In Q2 2025

September 11, 2025

Trump’s Ally, Kirk Dies From Gunshot Injury At Utah Rally

September 10, 2025

UK Urged To Arrest Israeli President Over Alleged Genocide In Gaza 

September 10, 2025

Junk Food: One In 10 Kids Obese Worldwide – UN Report 

September 10, 2025

About

Heritage Times HT stands as a beacon of pan-African journalism, dedicated to amplyfing the rich tapestry of voices and narratives across the continent. With unwavering commitment, we illuminate the evocative essence of Africa, offering a fresh perspective that captivates our global audience.

Featured

One Year of Transformative Stewardship: Walson-Jack’s Innovative Impact on Nigeria’s Civil Service

Africa’s Largest Tech Event, MWC25 Kigali, Returns With Focus On Innovation, Policy

Nadine Djuiko: Meet The Cameroonian Woman Behind Maryland’s Million-Dollar Braiding Empire

Connect

Connect with us on social media and receive timely updates on the go.

Get Updates

  • About
  • HT Management
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 Heritage Times (HT) Media.

No Result
View All Result
  • Welcome
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Security
  • Exposé
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Legal
  • Technology and Science
  • Columns
    • Opinion
  • World
  • __________________
  • Make a Donation
  • Photo Speaks
  • Videos
  • You-Report
  • Whistleblower
  • Advertise
  • HT Events
  • HT Management
  • About HT
  • Contact us

© 2025 Heritage Times (HT) Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In