KAMPALA, Uganda — Rwanda’s health minister announced on Sunday that there is currently no spread of the Marburg virus within the nation, indicating that there have been no new cases or fatalities reported in the last six days.
Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana made this statement during a press conference in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. He noted that all confirmed cases are linked to known contacts of individuals who had contracted the virus.
To prevent the spread of viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Marburg, it is critical to identify and isolate those who may have been exposed to the virus. Rwanda has been actively monitoring and has documented a total of 1,146 contacts as part of their outbreak response.
Nsanzimana’s remarks came during a briefing alongside Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, who commended Rwanda for its efficient management of the Marburg outbreak.
“I can see that the outbreak is being managed under strong leadership,” Tedros stated. “Nonetheless, we are up against one of the most dangerous viruses in the world, so it is vital to remain vigilant.”
The outbreak was officially declared on September 27, with Rwanda reporting a total of 15 deaths to date. Official records show there have been 44 recoveries, with only three active cases remaining.
Nsanzimana highlighted that a significant number of those infected were healthcare workers who contracted the virus while treating patients. Further investigation identified the likely index case as a 27-year-old man who was exposed to the virus after coming into contact with a certain species of cave-dwelling bats. This individual had sought treatment at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, which led to exposure for several healthcare workers.
Similar to the Ebola virus, Marburg is believed to be transmitted from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, such as bedding.
The Marburg virus can be extremely deadly, with a fatality rate of up to 88% among those who fall ill. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, death due to significant blood loss.
To mitigate the risk of transmission, Rwandans have been advised to refrain from physical contact. Measures such as suspending school sessions and hospital visits, limiting attendance at funerals for victims of Marburg, and prohibiting home vigils for those who have died from the virus have been implemented.
The U.S. Embassy in Kigali has instructed its employees to work from home and avoid office visits during this time.
Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment available for the Marburg virus. Historically, outbreaks and isolated cases of Marburg have been reported in several countries, including Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana.
The virus was first identified in 1967 when it triggered simultaneous outbreaks in laboratories located in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Yugoslavia, leading to the deaths of seven individuals who were exposed to the virus while conducting research on monkeys.