Belgium sends equipment to Rwanda to help fight Marburg virus
Belgium is sending personal protective equipment and laboratory equipment to Rwanda in the fight against the Marburg virus. This will be done through B-Fast - the Belgian government's rapid intervention service that intervenes in emergencies abroad, outgoing Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke announced on Wednesday.
The Marburg virus is a rare but highly contagious pathogen found mainly in central and eastern Africa. It is related to the Ebola virus and causes haemorrhagic fever. Symptoms of the deadly disease include high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and internal bleeding. It is spread between people through contact with bodily fluids.
Rwanda confirmed the outbreak at the end of September. The country requested assistance from the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, which Belgium is now responding to. The delivery will take place on 16 November.
"By providing hygienic protective equipment for health workers, we can help support the local health system. We are preventing the disease from spreading further. This is good for the people there, but also for us," said outgoing Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke.
"We are preventing the disease from spreading further. This is good for the people there, but also for us"
Since the beginning of November, the outbreak has caused 15 deaths in Rwanda. The outbreak was brought under control in October, with nearly 75 percent of patients recovering from the virus. No cases have been reported outside the country.
According to Vandenbroucke, the risk of infection in Belgium is very low for the time being, but vigilance remains key.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
Related news
