An outbreak of the Marburg virus disease has raised concerns in Rwanda after claiming the lives of at least nine people, with fears of further transmission looming. The Marburg virus, which bears similarities to Ebola, has a high fatality rate and has caused hundreds of deaths in recent years, mainly in African countries. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus is fatal for about half of those it infects.
The current outbreak was identified in September 2024 and is the first time cases have been reported in Rwanda. As of now, there are 27 confirmed cases and nine fatalities, with approximately 300 individuals under observation due to close contact with infected patients. Most of the victims in this outbreak were healthcare workers in a hospital intensive care unit, as confirmed by Rwanda’s health minister.
There were concerns that the virus had spread to Germany when passengers were evacuated from a train due to a man displaying flu-like symptoms after travelling from Rwanda. However, subsequent tests confirmed that the individuals were not infected. Another person who had travelled from Rwanda to Belgium and was being monitored has also been cleared of posing a risk to public health after completing the observation period.
The World Health Organisation has indicated that seven of Rwanda’s 30 districts have reported cases, with a significant number linked to healthcare workers in the capital, Kigali. There is a heightened risk of the virus spreading to neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda due to the proximity of affected districts to the borders.
In response to the outbreak, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that they are intensifying efforts to support Rwanda in containing the spread of the virus and protecting those at risk. Rwandan authorities have implemented measures such as limiting funeral attendance and restricting visitors in hospitals to prevent further transmission.
The Marburg virus disease is characterised by symptoms such as haemorrhagic fever, with a high fatality rate of up to 88%. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available for the disease. Initial symptoms include fever, severe headache, and muscle pain, followed by diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, patients may experience bleeding and, in fatal cases, severe blood loss leading to death.
First identified in 1967, the Marburg virus is believed to originate from prolonged human exposure to caves or mines inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies. The WHO has classified the risk of the current outbreak as very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.
The situation remains critical as health authorities in Rwanda and international organisations work diligently to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the Marburg virus.