KAMPALA, Uganda — The recent outbreak of Marburg fever in Rwanda is now under control, and travel restrictions aimed at the East African nation are considered unwarranted, officials from Africa’s leading public health agency announced on Thursday.
Rwanda officially reported the outbreak on September 27, with 13 fatalities attributed to the disease so far.
Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Marburg virus; however, last week, the country received 700 trial vaccine doses from the U.S.-based Sabin Vaccine Institute. These doses are intended for healthcare workers, emergency responders, and individuals who have come into contact with confirmed cases.
Jean Kaseya, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the likelihood of Marburg spreading beyond Rwanda is nearly nonexistent. He commended the nation for its robust response, highlighting the coordinated efforts of government officials.
“The measures they have implemented ensure that no contacts can exit the country,” Kaseya noted, mentioning their daily monitoring protocols. “This level of oversight is remarkable.”
On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention altered its travel advisory for Rwanda, mandating screening for travelers who have recently visited the country. These updated recommendations encourage people to think twice before traveling to Rwanda for non-essential reasons.
Kaseya criticized this decision, arguing that it lacked proper consultation with the African CDC or Rwandan authorities. He emphasized that Rwanda should not face consequences due to its transparency in addressing the outbreak.
The health situation indicates that there are currently 58 confirmed cases of Marburg in Rwanda, including 12 recoveries, according to Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana, who described the American travel advisory as “not the best course of action.”
Since the arrival of the trial vaccines, more than 200 individuals have been vaccinated, as noted by the health authorities.
Similar to Ebola, the Marburg virus is believed to be transmitted from fruit bats to humans and can spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of those infected, as well as contaminated surfaces like bedding.
Without appropriate treatment, Marburg can have a fatality rate of up to 88%. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death resulting from significant blood loss.
Most reported cases thus far involve healthcare workers in six out of the 30 districts in Rwanda, particularly in areas near the borders of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania, according to the World Health Organization.
To mitigate the outbreak’s spread, Rwandans have been advised to minimize physical contact. Consequently, school activities have been suspended, hospital visits are curtailed, and the number of attendees at funerals for victims has been limited. Furthermore, home vigils for those who have died due to Marburg are prohibited.
The U.S. Embassy in Kigali has instructed its employees to work from home and to refrain from visiting the office.
Historically, Marburg virus outbreaks and singular cases have been noted in various African nations, including Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana.
First recognized in 1967, the virus emerged after outbreaks occurred simultaneously in laboratory settings in the German city of Marburg and in Belgrade, Serbia, resulting in seven deaths connected to monkey virus research.
