The Rwandan government today declared the end of the country's Marburg virus outbreak, after passing 42 days with no new cases since the last patient was discharged from the hospital. The time period represents two virus incubation periods.
Declared on September 27, the outbreak was Rwanda's first involving the virus. The event resulted in 66 cases, 15 of them fatal. Most of the infections were reported in healthcare workers who cared for their colleagues and other patients at two hospitals in Kigali.
The case-fatality rate was about 23%, which is at the low end of the 24% to 88% range.
In a statement the World Health Organization (WHO) today praised the comprehensive response of Rwanda and its partners. Brian Chirombo, MD, MPH, the WHO's representative in Rwanda, said, "The robust response by Rwanda shows how committed leadership, concerted efforts by partners, and a strong health system are crucial in addressing public health emergencies, saving and protecting lives, as well as safeguarding the health of individuals and communities."
The robust response by Rwanda shows how committed leadership, concerted efforts by partners, and a strong health system are crucial in addressing public health emergencies, saving and protecting lives, as well as safeguarding the health of individuals and communities.
The index patient is thought to have contracted the virus in a mining-area cave where fruit bats, known to carry the virus, were present. Genetic sequencing found that the virus is similar to Marburg viruses that had been reported in that region of Africa before.
As part of the outbreak response, the country deployed an investigational Marburg vaccine from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, which was used to immunize healthcare workers in conjunction with a clinical trial. Rwanda's scientists also launched the world's first clinical trials for Marburg treatments in conjunction with their WHO partners.