Rwanda declares the end of Marburg outbreak

Rwanda’s Health Minister, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, has officially declared that the Marburg virus outbreak that had affected the country is now over.

The announcement was made during a weekly briefing organized by the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), aimed at updating the public on health issues across the continent.

Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed that, based on the latest data, there have been no new cases or deaths related to Marburg in Rwanda for over two weeks, signaling the end of the outbreak.

"We are pleased to report that as of today, the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda has been successfully contained, since the first case was confirmed on September 27, 2024, we have worked relentlessly to stop the virus from spreading, both within Rwanda and across the region," Dr. Nsanzimana stated.

He explained that over the past month, no new deaths have occurred due to the Marburg virus, and all patients who had been hospitalized have since recovered and been discharged.

"For two consecutive weeks, there have been no new cases, and over a month has passed without any Marburg-related fatalitiesm all the patients who were treated for Marburg have been released from the hospital," the Minister emphasized.

While the outbreak is officially over, Dr. Nsanzimana assured the public that Rwanda will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the virus does not resurface.

"The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda has ended, but we are not taking any chances. We are enhancing our surveillance efforts to ensure that we are prepared for any future challenges," he said, adding that the country has learned valuable lessons from the crisis and is improving its overall health response capabilities.

The Marburg virus, which is similar to Ebola, was first detected in Rwanda in late September. The Ministry of Health conducted investigations and discovered that the virus likely originated from Egyptian fruit bats found in a gold mine near Kigali.

As part of its response, Rwanda expanded its monitoring efforts to other caves across the country, utilizing advanced technology to track bat populations and prevent any future outbreaks.

To date, Rwanda has recorded 66 Marburg cases, with 15 deaths and 51 recoveries. The virus typically presents symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Authorities have urged the public to seek immediate medical attention if they experience these symptoms.

Dr. Nsanzimana concluded his statement by emphasizing Rwanda’s commitment to maintaining vigilance and improving its capacity to respond to future health emergencies.

"While we can proudly say the outbreak is over, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that we are always ready to act swiftly if needed."

This declaration marks a significant milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to combat infectious diseases, demonstrating the country’s effective response and preparedness in managing health crises.