Minister Dr. Nsanzimana urges Rwandans to remain vigilant in the fight against Marburg

In a press briefing held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, announced that the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda is showing signs of subsiding. However, he emphasized that Rwandans must not become complacent, as the fight to completely eradicate the virus is ongoing.

Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted that while recent data indicates progress in controlling the outbreak, Rwandans should remain cautious. He stated that the strategies previously implemented in Rwanda are set to be revised to ensure the complete defeat of the virus.

*"Although the data shows that Marburg is slowing down, Rwandans should not relax. Many decisions were made in the first week. Now, it’s time to review what we have done. We will announce new guidelines soon,”* he said.

Since the Marburg virus was first detected in Rwanda, 61 people have contracted the virus. Of these, 18 have recovered, 14 have died, and 29 are still receiving treatment, with three in critical condition. Despite the encouraging results from the past three days, which saw no new infections, Dr. Nsanzimana stressed that there is still work to be done to fully eliminate the virus.

“We are doing everything we can to provide the best care for those still affected,” Dr. Nsanzimana assured. *“We are committed to ensuring that no more lives are lost due to this virus.”*

In efforts to strengthen the fight against Marburg, Dr. Nsanzimana revealed that Rwanda has received 1,000 doses of the Marburg vaccine, which will be administered to those on the front lines of combating the virus. However, he clarified that at this stage, it is not necessary to vaccinate the entire population.

*"We don’t need to vaccinate everyone just yet, as our focus remains on those directly involved in fighting the outbreak. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to make informed decisions,"* he added.

Dr. Brian Chirombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Rwanda, commended the country’s efforts in tackling the virus. He noted that the measures taken by Rwanda are yielding positive results and that there is no need to impose travel or trade restrictions.

*"The measures taken by Rwanda and its partners are sufficient. Closing borders or restricting movement would not help; it would only harm the country’s economy,"* Dr. Chirombo said.

The Marburg virus was first detected in Rwanda on September 27, 2024. By October 12, 2024, a total of 61 people had contracted the virus, with 29 still receiving medical attention, 14 deaths, and 18 recoveries.

Despite the progress made in controlling the outbreak, the Ministry of Health continues to urge all Rwandans to adhere to preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus. Preventing Marburg requires maintaining proper hygiene by washing hands with clean water and soap, avoiding contact with individuals showing symptoms of the virus, and refraining from touching the bodily fluids or blood of those affected.

The fight against Marburg is not over, and vigilance remains crucial to ensure the virus is fully contained.