The disease is classified as dangerous to society – it can cause hemorrhagic fever and has a high mortality rate

Sweden

At a further cabinet meeting, the government decided to classify Marburg disease as dangerous to society. The decision is based on a letter from the Public Health Agency received on October 3. The reclassification is being done to increase preparedness for possible cases of importation of the disease.

On Thursday, the Public Health Agency submitted a request to the government to reclassify Marburg disease from a public risk to a public risk. On Friday, the government made a decision.

Outbreak in Rwanda

The Public Health Authority's request comes after the outbreak of Marburg disease in Rwanda, which prompted the Authority to conduct a new risk assessment of the possibility of cases of the disease reaching Sweden. The danger was no longer significant. However, no cases have yet been suspected or reported in Sweden, and the risk of the disease spreading in Sweden is very low.

– This disease is very dangerous, and although we do not see that there is a risk of the infection spreading in Sweden at the present time, the government decided today to classify it as dangerous to society. It gives us better tools to take extraordinary infection control measures if necessary, says Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forsmed (KD).

Treatment and vaccine are missing

Marburg is a virus from the same family as the Ebola virus. It is transmitted through bodily fluids and can cause hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. There is no specific treatment or vaccine against the disease and any case of the disease in the country will place great demands on healthcare.

The Public Health Authority also took measures such as increasing communication with infection control doctors in the regions and high isolation care, in addition to cooperation with other relevant authorities. The government and the Public Health Agency are communicating closely on this issue, and the relevant authorities are closely following developments.

Photo: Freebeck