Killing the fruit bats identified as the primary source of Marburg virus disease is not an option, as they play an important ecological role in controlling insects and pollinating plants, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, said on November 4.
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The minister explained that eradicating the bats is not a solution as it could worsen the situation, while speaking at a press conference in Kigali, where he provided updates on Rwanda&039;s containment efforts and the origins of the outbreak.
"Killing the fruit bats might actually increase the risk,” Dr. Nsanzimana stated, noting that "there is a nearby country that attempted this [killing the bats], and epidemics there increased fivefold.”
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He explained that if bats are killed, the remaining population responds by reproducing rapidly to compensate for the loss. This intensified breeding can coincide with higher rates of virus transmission. Dr. Nsanzimana explained that the Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats, which carry the virus, tend to spread it in particular seasons.
"These bats primarily distribute the virus in February and August,” he said. "This is because they reproduce twice a year, and during these times they are more likely to transmit the virus.”
He urged people to avoid actions that might harm the bats and advised against entering cave areas where these bats tend to live. Dr. Nsanzimana suggested that interference with the bats' habitat contributed to the virus's spread.
"If no one had disturbed the caves where the bats were living, we might not be facing this issue,” he said.
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Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted the ecological importance of bats in the ecosystem, especially in controlling mosquito populations, which helps reduce risks for diseases like malaria.
"One bat can eat up to 100,000 mosquitoes in a single night. Imagine the consequences in an environment without bats to curb mosquito populations,” he noted, adding that fruit bats play a role in pollination and supporting agriculture.
"A bat can travel 60 kilometres in one night, transferring pollen as it moves, which helps plants reproduce,” he explained.
"They also consume various insects that damage crops, thus aiding in agriculture.”
Dr. Nsanzimana described fruit bats as big compared to other bats, with teeth and long mouths, primarily feeding on fruits and some insects, and residing in caves.
Nsanzimana emphasized the importance of regional cooperation to manage Marburg virus risks effectively.
"It is important for the countries to work together to prevent the spread of Marburg. The bats are migratory—they might be here today and elsewhere tomorrow,” he said.
Three weeks without Marburg deaths
The country has made progress in containing the spread of Marburg virus disease, as it reported no new deaths for three weeks, Dr Nsanzimana said.
Rwanda last recorded a Marburg-related death on October 14.
"It has been almost a month without a Marburg-related death in Rwanda, which is good news in the fight against this deadly virus," Dr Nsanzimana said.
"Investigations traced the virus back to fruit bats, identified as the primary source of infection. The index case was linked to a mine where these bats roost, prompting authorities to install a barrier separating the bats' habitat from the working areas," Nsanzimana said, noting that a team of doctors now monitors the health of mine workers daily, and similar preventive measures were applied in other mines where these bats are known to reside.
Currently, Rwanda has two patients under medical care for Marburg, both in stable condition, he said.
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To prevent further spread, a team of experts was established to identify other possible sites where the virus might be harboured.
As noted, the virus can persist in certain body fluids of recovered patients, including semen, breast milk and eye tissue.
Recovered patients are, therefore, advised to avoid unprotected sexual contact until they are confirmed virus-free to reduce transmission risks.
The Marburg virus, a highly infectious pathogen with a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, causes hemorrhagic fever and belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, according to the World Health Organization.
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.