The Rwanda Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Center are responding rapidly to the situation and are publishing updates on the outbreak.
As of 30 September 2024, a total of 27 confirmed cases, including nine deaths have been reported. The cases are reported from seven of the 30 districts in the country. Over 70% of confirmed cases are healthcare workers from two health facilities in Kigali. The patients are receiving care, contact tracing is underway, with 300 contacts under follow-up including a contact who travelled internationally. They remained healthy and completed the monitoring period without developing symptoms.
Further outbreak investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak, geographical extent, the likely date of onset, and additional epidemiological information. Surveillance, identification, contact tracing isolation and patient management are key elements of the response.
The World Health Organization (WHO) currently assesses the risk of this outbreak as very high at the national level, high regionally, and low globally. At the same time, however, based on this current risk assessment, WHO advises against imposing any travel and trade restrictions with Rwanda at this time.
We remain committed to ensuring the health and safety of all ASM participants. The GACD team is in touch with contacts and partners to follow the situation carefully as it evolves and is actively monitoring international guidance and advice. The outbreak is in the initial stages and our situation risk assessment is ongoing as more information emerges. We will continue to provide further timely information and advice as soon as we can.
About the Marburg Virus
Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly virulent disease that can cause haemorrhagic fever and is clinically similar to Ebola diseases. Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus): Marburg virus disease– The Republic of Rwanda
Marburg virus spreads between people via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids. Healthcare workers can be infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed MVD. Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of the deceased can also contribute to the transmission of Marburg virus.
The incubation period varies from two to 21 days. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Symptoms progress with severe diarrhoea, vomiting through to severe haemorrhagic manifestations. In fatal cases, death occurs most often between eight and nine days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.
There is currently no available treatment or vaccine for MVD. Some candidate vaccines are currently under development.
Outbreaks of MVD have previously been reported in previous years from countries neighbouring Rwanda, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The current outbreak has concerted action from the Rwanda Ministry of Health, the Rwanda Biomedical Center and support from international agencies including WHO and CDC: CDC Statement on Marburg Cases in Rwanda | CDC Newsroom