WHO Chief in Kigali as Rwanda Nears End of Marburg Outbreak
Rwanda is successfully containing the Marburg virus outbreak, with no new infections or deaths reported in the past six days, according to health authorities. So far, 44 people have recovered, leaving just three active cases. The outbreak, which began on September 27, has claimed 15 lives.
Health officials emphasized that all positive cases have come from known contacts, with no signs of community transmission. A total of 1,146 contacts have been documented.
Rwanda’s health minister highlighted the importance of continued vigilance, saying, “This is a great step forward, but not the end of the outbreak.”
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros, visited Rwanda to assess the response efforts, praising the country’s leadership. He also commended Rwanda for launching vaccine trials, noting that, while no approved vaccines exist, these efforts could pave the way for future breakthroughs.
Marburg, similar to Ebola, is believed to spread through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. The virus has a high mortality rate of up to 88% without treatment, but early care improves survival chances. Rwanda has suspended school and hospital visits and imposed restrictions on home vigils to curb the outbreak.
Marburg was first identified in 1967 after outbreaks in Germany and Yugoslavia, linked to research on infected monkeys.
