Rwanda Reports No Community Transmission of Marburg Virus, Zero New Cases Recently

KAMPALA, Uganda -- Rwanda's Health Minister announced that the Marburg virus outbreak is not spreading, with no new infections or deaths reported in the last six days. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana confirmed that all cases arise from known contacts, emphasizing, “We don't have community transmission.”

The key to controlling outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers like Marburg lies in quickly identifying and isolating exposed individuals. Currently, Rwanda has documented 1,146 contacts related to the outbreak. Nsanzimana made these remarks during a joint press conference with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, who commended Rwanda's proactive response.

Rwanda declared the outbreak on September 27, with a reported 15 deaths, 44 recoveries, and three active cases so far. Most infections occurred among health workers who were exposed while treating patients. Investigations traced the index case to a 27-year-old man who had contact with cave-dwelling bats.

Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is transmitted through close contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, and severe blood loss, with fatality rates reaching up to 88% without treatment.

In response, Rwandans are advised to avoid physical contact, and measures have been implemented such as suspending school and hospital visits and restricting attendance at funerals of Marburg victims. The U.S. Embassy in Kigali has also advised staff to work remotely. Notably, there is no authorized vaccine or treatment for Marburg.

Marburg has been linked to outbreaks in various African countries, with its initial identification occurring in 1967 in Germany and Yugoslavia.