Rwanda has declared the end of the Marburg virus outbreak in the country after the last patient recovered 42 days ago, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said at a press conference on Friday (December 20).
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| Rwanda declares end of Marburg virus epidemic. |
| Photo: Md Ariful Islam/CVN |
The Government of Rwanda today announced (December 20, editor’s note) the end of the Marburg virus disease epidemic, with no new cases having been reported in the last 42 days. The announcement came after the last patient was declared negative twice based on tests carried out, in accordance with the standard protocol put in place to put an end to this type of outbreak.
Confirmed on September 27, 2024, this outbreak of Marburg virus disease was a first in Rwanda. In total, 66 cases were laboratory confirmed, and 15 deaths recorded. Nearly 80% of cases involved healthcare workers infected while caring for colleagues and other patients.
“It's been a long journey, but today we come to the end of the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda. So Marburg is completed according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization“, declared the Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, during a press conference.
“It has taken us 42 days since the last patient tested negative and was discharged from the hospital… Last night, at exactly midnight, was the end of the 42e day, we therefore declare that Marburg is finished in Rwanda“, he added.
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to work closely with national authorities to maintain essential measures to ensure rapid detection and response in the event of a resurgence or new cases of HIV transmission. virus.
WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Health to establish and maintain a comprehensive care program for people who have recovered from Marburg virus disease, with the aim of enabling them to overcome any after-effects.
The Marburg virus belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. It is very virulent, with a fatality rate ranging between 24% and 88%.
During this outbreak, the case fatality rate was relatively low, at around 23%. This virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads within the human species through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials.
OMS/VNA/CVN
