Kazakhstan Increases Monitoring in Response to Marburg Virus Outbreak
Kazakh Healthcare Ministry Strengthens Control Over Marburg Virus Following Outbreak in Rwanda
The Kazakh Healthcare Ministry is ramping up efforts to monitor the epidemiological situation after the World Health Organization confirmed the first outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda. Chief State Sanitary Doctor, Sarkhat Beissenova, announced the precautionary measures on Oct. 7.
Marburg virus is a highly virulent disease that can cause hemorrhagic fever in both humans and primates. The virus is naturally found in bats and can be transmitted from bats to humans.
According to the Healthcare Ministry, countries in Southern, Western, and Central Africa, such as South Africa, Gabon, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, are natural foci of Marburg fever.
Symptoms of the disease typically appear within 2-21 days after infection with the virus.
In light of the high migration rate of the population, the Kazakh ministry advises citizens to take precautions when visiting endemic countries. This includes avoiding contact with infected individuals, being cautious around wild animals in African jungles, refraining from consuming undercooked meat from local animals, avoiding caves and mines where Egyptian bats – asymptomatic carriers of the virus – reside, seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms develop, and practicing good personal hygiene.
Beissenova emphasized that the Healthcare Ministry is closely monitoring the situation regarding the Marburg virus. Sanitary and quarantine protocols are being enforced at international airports to prevent the spread of the disease.
As the situation continues to develop, the Ministry remains vigilant in its efforts to protect the health and well-being of the Kazakh population.
