STORY: Rwandans embrace preventive measures to curb spread of Marburg virus disease
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 17, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 19, 2024
LENGTH: 0:02:08
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of a market in Kigali
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): ALPHONSINE MUKANDERA, Official at Ejo Heza market in Kigali
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): JOSE KABAHIZI BAHATI, Vendor of clothes

STORYLINE:

The Rwandan government has announced a series of measures to curb the spread of the Marburg virus disease, as the country declared a Marburg virus disease outbreak in late September.

The measures include limiting gatherings at funerals for those who succumbed to the deadly disease, suspending visits to boarding schools, and restricting the number of caretakers for hospitalized patients.
   
The government has also introduced screening mechanisms, identified all contacts of Marburg virus disease patients, and implemented electronic systems to ensure close contacts under quarantine do not move or travel unnoticed.
   
Alphonsine Mukandera, an official at Ejo Heza market in Kigali, said she ensures that all people entering the market do not flout precautionary measures.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): ALPHONSINE MUKANDERA, Official at Ejo Heza market in Kigali
"Our first measure as a market is to mobilize everyone who enters to wash their hands with clean water and soap before entering the market. We have installed a hand washing facility at every entrance, encouraging them to stay social distance, ignore handshake, and use the mobile money for payment to minimize cash handling."
   
Jose Kabahizi Bahati, a clothes vendor, said she is worried about the spread of Marburg virus disease, but resolved to strengthen hygiene measures to prevent it. 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): JOSE KABAHIZI BAHATI, Clothes vendor
"This is not just an individual concern, it's a national issue. We need to protect ourselves, by making handwashing and avoiding handshakes. This should become a culture. This could help us to combat this disease if we follow these measures."
   
The ministry has urged residents to avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of the disease, which include high fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)