More Encouraging News: This 2024 Fruit Bat Borne Marburg's Is Likely Quite Similar To Prior Outbreaks, Genetically

Although there were two new cases detected over the weekend, this is all still moderately good news. The rate of viral infection is clearly trending downward, and the public health outreach seems to be working.

Moreover, there is good reason to believe that current experimental vaccines and therapeutics will be effective in arresting this 2024 strain, as it is highly similar to previously detected Marburg strains, from fruit bats -- and so we have a roadmap that leads to an end point. . . with some high confidence. Still the death rates among those infected hover at over 70%. . . so the need is quite urgent. Here is CIDRAP (via the U. of Minn.) on it all:

. . .Rwanda's latest Marburg virus cases have genetic links to cave sites, and the fruit bats in them. . . . At a weekly press briefing yesterday hosted by Africa Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC), Rwanda Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana, MD, PhD, said the index patient is thought to have contracted the virus in a cave where fruit bats, known to carry the virus, were living. He added that the cave is located in a mining area and that a current focus is making sure fruit bats are not interacting with humans. . . .

The incubation period for Marburg infection can range from 2 to 21 days, with symptoms such as high fever, headache, and severe malaise that can appear abruptly. Two new cases were reported in the last week.

Rwandan scientists last week said genetic sequencing suggests the virus spreading in Rwanda is very similar to that reported before in the region. . . .

Now you know -- with unseasonably warm weather here, and clear too -- for Halloween week (and early voting!). My baby girl's back from London for a month's visit, starting tomorrow night (and the grand nieces are completely thrilled!). . . Woot!

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