Kigali, Rwanda – The outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease was declared over at this time by the Government of Rwanda with no new circumstances reported over the past 42 days after the final affected person examined destructive for the virus twice, as per the standard protocol for ending most of these outbreaks.
The outbreak, confirmed on 27 September 2024, was the primary Marburg Virus Disease outbreak Rwanda has skilled. A complete of 66 confirmed circumstances and 15 deaths had been recorded. Almost 80% of the circumstances had been amongst well being employees who had been contaminated whereas offering medical care to their colleagues and different sufferers.
To halt the unfold of the virus and save lives, Rwandan well being authorities, with help from World Health Organization (WHO) and companions, mounted a complete response, with a wide range of measures from illness surveillance, testing, an infection prevention and management, contact tracing, to medical care and public consciousness. These actions helped to curb the unfold of the outbreak, with circumstances halved between weeks two and three after detection and declining by round 90% thereafter.
“The strong response by Rwanda reveals how dedicated management, concerted efforts by companions and a powerful well being system are essential in addressing public well being emergencies, saving and defending lives in addition to safeguarding the well being of people and communities,” mentioned Dr Brian Chirombo, WHO Representative in Rwanda.
The deployment of WHO consultants, a workforce of nationwide first responders from different nations within the area and the sturdy mobilization of nationwide efforts had been instrumental in enhancing the outbreak response. The final confirmed case acquired their second destructive PCR outcomes on 7 November, kicking off the 42-day countdown to declaring the tip of the outbreak, as per WHO advice.
WHO continues to work carefully with the nationwide authorities to take care of crucial measures to make sure swift detection and response in case of any flare-up or new spillover of the virus. WHO will proceed to help the Ministry of Health to implement and maintain a holistic care programme for individuals who recovered from Marburg Virus Disease to assist them overcome any after-effects they could expertise.
The virus which causes Marburg, is in the identical household because the virus that causes Ebola Virus Disease. It is very virulent with a fatality fee starting from 24% to 88%. In this outbreak, the fatality fee was on the decrease finish, at round 23%. Marburg virus is transmitted to folks from fruit bats and spreads amongst people via direct contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated folks, surfaces and supplies.
