Survivors of the Marburg virus disease must remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves and others after being discharged since the virus can linger in the human body for an extended period, health minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana warned on November 4.
"The virus is complicated," Dr. Nsanzimana said. "Sometimes, a small amount of the virus may remain hidden in parts of the body and could be transmitted to others."
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According to the minister, the duration the virus remains in the body varies among individuals and is still being studied.
"The period that the virus can stay in a person’s body is currently unclear. It could depend on the individual’s body,” he explained. "It can be weeks, months, or even a year; it depends on the person’s body. We have initiated a one-year research study to document Marburg cases.”
The ministry continues to monitor recovered individuals for an extended period to ensure full recovery and prevent the potential reactivation of the virus.
"We keep testing recovered individuals to make sure they have fully recovered; otherwise, the virus could reactivate and possibly restart an outbreak,” Dr. Nsanzimana said.
He urged the public to avoid stigmatizing or isolating recovered patients, noting that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring them and providing guidance on preventive measures.
"Recovery means the patient’s blood is free from the virus, but we continue testing them every 72 hours to confirm,” he explained.
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Areas where Marburg can persist even after recovery
Semen is considered the highest-risk area where the virus can remain for months, even after other parts of the body are cleared.
"For men, the virus can persist in semen long after recovery,” Dr. Nsanzimana said. "That’s why we advise recovered individuals to avoid unprotected sex until they are fully cleared,”
The virus can also linger in the eyes after recovery, potentially affecting vision.
"If the virus remains in the eyes, it can cause sight issues. We have assigned eye specialists to follow up with such patients,” Nsanzimana added.
The virus may also remain in breast milk for some time.
Dr. Nsanzimana noted that breastfeeding mothers who contracted the disease are receiving guidance and care.
Other body fluids such as urine and saliva, may also harbor the virus temporarily, so these are tested alongside blood, semen, breast milk, and the eyes.
The minister assured the public of the ministry’s preparedness to fight the virus, underscoring the government’s commitment to patient care until Rwanda is Marburg-free.
"We will continue to follow up with patients for as long as it takes, even if it means monitoring one person for six months, until they test negative,” he said.
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Rwanda detected its first case of Marburg virus on September 27.
Currently, there are only two patients in isolation, and their cases are reportedly not severe.