The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Rwanda to intensify its efforts in combating the Marburg virus outbreak, which has claimed 15 lives since it was first reported in late September. As of Sunday, 62 confirmed cases have been recorded, with no new cases reported in the last six days.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, visited Rwanda to observe the country’s response and praised the measures in place to control the spread. “We are encouraged by the absence of new cases over the past six days, but we must remain vigilant,” Tedros stated during a press conference in Kigali. “We are dealing with one of the world’s most dangerous viruses, and ongoing surveillance, contact tracing, and infection control are essential until the outbreak is officially declared over.”
The outbreak, which involves a virus closely related to Ebola, is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and causes hemorrhagic fever, leading to symptoms like organ failure and severe bleeding. With a fatality rate that can reach 88 percent, Marburg remains a serious public health threat. However, the current fatality rate has been contained at 24 percent, thanks to prompt medical interventions.
Tedros also visited a treatment facility on Saturday, where he witnessed the recovery of two patients who had suffered from severe symptoms, including organ failure. “These patients were placed on life support, successfully intubated, and are now recovering,” he said. “This may be the first instance in Africa where Marburg patients have survived after being extubated.”
While there are no officially approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for Marburg, Rwanda has launched a trial vaccine program, and experimental treatments are being tested to curb the virus’s impact. The WHO continues to emphasize the importance of sustained measures as the country works toward declaring the outbreak under control.
