Rwanda: Marburg Outbreak - School Visits Suspended

Pixabay
Kigali (file photo).
2 October 2024
The New Times (Kigali)
By Aurore Teta Ufitiwabo

The Ministry of Education has temporarily suspended monthly visits to students in boarding schools as part of measures to prevent the spread of the Marburg virus disease (MVD), a deadly haemorrhagic fever, initially confirmed in a few patients in health facilities in the country end last month.

ALSO READ: Marburg Virus: Dealing with misconceptions, myths and misinformation

An October 2 statement from the ministry highlighting new guidelines for the prevention of the disease in schools states that such visits will only resume after an assessment by the ministry and health authorities. By Tuesday, the disease had already claimed 11 lives.

"In urgent cases, parents can coordinate with school administrators to send necessary supplies through alternative methods, including digital means where possible," the statement added.

GUIDELINES FOR #MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE PREVENTION IN SCHOOLS. pic.twitter.com/my6Y4hzjje-- Ministry of Education | Rwanda (@Rwanda_Edu) October 2, 2024

According to new guidelines, school administrators and teachers must monitor students for symptoms of Marburg disease, which include high fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Students who display these symptoms must be taken to a health facility immediately.

"Following instructions from the Ministry of Health, MINEDUC has issued the preventive measures to be applied in all schools until further notice," read part of the statement.

ALSO READ: Marburg: Govt issues new guidelines as death toll reaches eight

Additionally, schools are advised to reinforce personal hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing. Students should be discouraged from sharing clothes or individual items, and schools are urged to keep students calm by ensuring they understand the importance of following the preventive measures.

ALSO READ: Marburg outbreak: Correctional facilities adhering to general guidelines, says official

Parents are also expected to play their part. If a child shows any symptoms, it is noted, they must be kept at home and taken to a health center for evaluation. Students should only return to school after receiving clearance from a medical professional.

The guidelines also specify that all students must adhere to the preventive measures to help stop the spread of the virus.

For more information, parents are encouraged to contact Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) through their toll-free number: 114.

Read the original article on New Times.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2024 The New Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.