Rwanda’s government officially declared the end of its Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak on Friday, following a 42-day period without new cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.
The decision comes after the last confirmed patient tested negative for the virus twice, marking the required period for the virus to no longer be considered a threat.
The MVD outbreak, clinically similar to Ebola, was initially confirmed by Rwanda’s Ministry of Health on September 27.
Over the course of the outbreak, 66 cases were reported, including 15 fatalities. The majority of those infected have since recovered, with 51 patients now free from the virus.
Marburg Virus Disease is known for being highly contagious, primarily transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.
The disease can also be spread through contact with animals, particularly Rousettus bats, which are often found in caves and mines. This makes containment efforts more challenging, as animals can act as persistent reservoirs for the virus.
While Rwanda has successfully navigated the outbreak, the WHO cautioned that there remains a risk of the virus re-emerging in the region.
The virus can persist in the body of recovered patients for extended periods, and animals in the area may continue to harbor the virus. The WHO stressed the importance of continued vigilance and recommended ongoing measures to limit the spread of MVD.
Belgium, which has been monitoring the situation closely, took proactive steps early on by alerting the public to remain vigilant for signs of the disease, though health authorities classified the risk to the general population as low.
The country also provided medical assistance to Rwanda by sending medical equipment to support the outbreak response.
The end of the outbreak is a significant achievement for Rwanda, which has taken extensive measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
Health teams conducted rigorous contact tracing, isolation protocols, and widespread health education to ensure that the disease did not spread beyond the initial cases.
Despite the official declaration, experts are advising caution. MVD has been known to flare up in regions where the virus is endemic, with persistent risks from animal-to-human transmission.
The WHO’s warning underscores the need for continued public health measures, including surveillance, rapid case detection, and animal control efforts.
The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda is part of a growing concern over viral diseases in Africa, which have historically posed serious challenges due to limited healthcare infrastructure and the remote nature of some affected areas.
As global health authorities monitor the situation, the need for sustained international cooperation and preparedness remains evident.
The end of the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak in Rwanda offers a moment of relief, but the WHO and other health organizations continue to stress that the fight against such diseases is far from over.
Efforts to reduce the risk of transmission and ensure rapid response to potential future outbreaks are essential to preventing similar crises in the future.
