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Outbreak of Marburg virus forces Rwanda to limit funeral sizes

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The outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in Rwanda has forced authorities to restrict funeral sizes for victims in an effort to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.

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

So far, eight people have died during Rwanda’s first outbreak of the virus, which was confirmed on Friday by the nation’s Health Ministry.

On Saturday when the official death toll was put at six, Rwanda’s Health Minister said most of the victims were healthcare workers in a hospital intensive care unit.

Director of the Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dr Nahid Bhadelia, who spoke with BBC’s Newsday programme, said curbing the virus’s spread may be challenging as most reported cases have been in the densely populated capital city, Kigali, while previous outbreaks have often been in remote rural areas where they are are easier to contain.

She added that there is hope as Rwanda has “a lot better infrastructure and history of public health coordination that many other countries”.

The country’s Health Minister said on Sunday that officials were tracking about 300 people who had come into contact with individuals affected by the Marburg virus.

To this end, the authorities have urged the public to practice good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing as this is the first time Marburg has been confirmed in Rwanda.

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

Marburg virus can bring on symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and, in some cases, can cause death through extreme blood loss.

Culture

Online streaming platform Spotify increases price for its Nigerian premium subscribers by 40%

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Online audio streaming platform, Spotify, has announced an immediate increment in price for its premium subscribers in Nigeria by over 40%.

In a statement announcing the price increase, the platform said the hike in the fee would allow the team to continue innovating on its product offerings and features, providing users with the best experience.

In the notification, Spotify informed that starting from their billing date in November, their subscription price would change from ₦900/month to ₦1,300/month.

The latest price update puts the Premium subscription plan at ₦7,000 ($4.40) monthly, up from the initial ₦5,000 ($3.14), indicating a 40% rise.

The platform had in April, hiked its Premium Plan price from ₦4,400 ($2.76) to ₦5,000 ($3.14).

However, it added that users who do not wish to continue paying for Premium at the new price can cancel via their account page.

Spotify has also introduced Offline Backup to its Premium users globally, allowing them to listen to music offline without needing to download, with the
Offline Backup appearing in the Home feed when users are offline, and can listen to more than five songs once they have offline listening activated.

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Culture

Legendary SA gospel artiste Solly Moholo passes away at 65

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Legendary South African gospel singer, Solly Moholo, has passed away following an illness shortly after his pre-album launch tour in Botswana.

According to his family, Moholo who was known and celebrated for his energetic performances and spiritual music, passed away on Wednesday, October 2, at the age of 65.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you that our beloved legend Solly Moholo has sadly passed on,” a statement issued by the family on Friday read.

The statement however, requested privacy as the family gradually comes to terms with their loss and prepare for Moholo’s funeral, with details about the memorial service to be shared on his official pages in the coming days.

Moholo who was born Solomon Molokoane, was a pivotal figure in South African gospel music, known for his unique blend of traditional gospel sounds and modern township influences.

A local media in a tribute to the singer, wrote:

“His powerful voice and uplifting lyrics resonated deeply with millions, making him a beloved household name in South Africa and beyond.

“Hits like “Ba Mmitsa Moholo Wa Dipelo” and “Ke Mo Afrika” became anthems in churches and community events, offering comfort, hope, and joy to listeners.

“Despite the loss, Moholo’s legacy will endure through his extensive discography, which features dozens of albums reflecting themes of faith and perseverance.

“His music not only shaped the gospel genre in South Africa but also addressed social issues, demonstrating his commitment to using his platform for good.

“Solly Moholo’s influence extended beyond South Africa, as he regularly performed in countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Lesotho, where his music was equally celebrated. His passing leaves a significant void in the hearts of fans across the African continent.”

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