Marburg virus: Rwanda restricts funeral sizes following outbreak

Authorities introduce new guidelines as the death toll from the highly contagious virus reaches eight.

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Eight people have died during Rwanda's first outbreak of the virus, which was confirmed on Friday by the nation's health ministry.

Marburg, with a fatality rate of up to 88%, is from the same virus family as Ebola. It spreads to humans from fruit bats and then through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.

In new guidelines to halt the spread of Marburg, the health ministry said no more than 50 people should attend the funeral of a person who died from the disease.

"Normal business and other activities" can continue in the East African country, said the advisory, published on Sunday evening.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3pxky2lno

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