The Ministry of Health has issued advisory guidelines to help guard against Marburg infection following confirmation of an outbreak of the viral disease in neighbouring Tanzania.
Tanzania confirmed one positive case of the disease on January 20 in the Northwestern region of Kagera.
In a statement on Tuesday, Public Health PS Mary Muthoni said Kenya was yet to record a single case but the country was at high risk due to significant cross-border movement of people from Tanzania.
Muthoni advised Kenyans to follow a set of guidelines to prevent potential outbreak of the disease in the country.
“To protect yourself, your family, and your community, make sure that anyone showing symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease is taken immediately to a designated treatment centre where they will receive care isolated from others,” the PS said.
Marburg virus can be transmitted by an infected person to other people and as such, isolation of a suspected case is advisable.
Persons who may have been on vacation and had prolonged exposure to fruit bats in caves or persons working in mines inhabited by fruit bat colonies may also be at risk of infection of the Marburg Virus Disease.
It’s a serious illness and can lead to death so caution is highly advised.
Signs and symptoms include abrupt high fever, chills, severe headache and extreme tiredness.
An infected person may also experience muscle aches and pains, which may then progress to nausea, chest pains, sore throat, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea which may contain blood.
The ministry advised against treating a person who exhibits these signs and symptoms at home.
“If you or someone in your family or community has symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease, seek immediate medical assistance from local health professionals who can provide patients with safe and appropriate care,” PS Muthoni said.
She said health professionals and support personnel will provide the necessary help needed for recovery.
The PS said early medical attention will improve chances of survival and limit the risk of transmission of the disease.
She said in the event that an infected person loses their life, they should be buried in a dignified way, although she advised caution on how the body should be handled to prevent transmission of the disease.
“It is very important to not touch or wash the body of anyone who has died with symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease,” she said.
“Allow burial teams to take a swab from the mouth of the deceased to test for Marburg Virus Disease. If the test result is positive, then the team will ensure that the deceased will be safely buried while allowing you to mourn in an acceptable and dignified way,” the PS explained.
In some incidences, she said the burial teams may advise against performing certain rituals that may involve the touching, washing or kissing of a body.
“We strongly advise the general public to follow the above public health measures and seek medical attention in the nearest public health facility if you experience any Marburg Virus Disease like symptoms,” PS Muthoni said.
She said the ministry will conduct contact tracing of persons who come in close contact of infected persons to prevent transmission.
“They will have their health monitored for 21 days. This allows for early detection of the disease and early access to care, which improves their chance of survival and reduces the risk of transmission to others,” the PS said.
