(Bloomberg) — Rwanda has officially declared the cessation of its outbreak of the highly virulent Marburg disease, following the discharge of its last patient approximately one week ago. The closure of the treatment center signifies a pivotal moment in the country’s battle against this lethal virus.
The country has now been free of any new cases for nearly two weeks, with no reported deaths in over a month, as confirmed by Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana during a briefing on Thursday. The East African nation initially announced the identification of the illness on September 27, which initiated a rapid response to curb its spread.
An official declaration from the World Health Organization regarding the conclusion of the outbreak will only be made after 42 consecutive days without new confirmed cases, representing two full incubation periods of the virus. This protocol ensures a thorough validation of the outbreak’s containment.
Cave-dwelling bats were pinpointed as the source of the Marburg virus, prompting authorities to implement a more extensive monitoring plan across the nation rather than restricting it to the vicinity of Kigali. This decision came after investigations into the case of a miner who contracted the disease; despite his eventual recovery, the heartbreaking loss of his spouse and newborn child during treatment highlighted the outbreak’s tragic impact.
Rwanda’s overall fatality rate of around 23% stands in stark contrast to prior regional outbreaks, which have faced significantly higher mortality figures. Notably, this incident constituted one of the largest recorded occurrences of Marburg in the region, with 51 recoveries reported from a total of 66 confirmed cases.
Most fatalities occurred within the initial weeks of the outbreak, disproportionately affecting health-care workers who were at the frontline of the emergency response. The diligent isolation of symptomatic individuals, alongside meticulous contact tracing measures, played a crucial role in curbing further spread of the virus, which is known to cause hemorrhagic fever. In an encouraging development, over 200 individuals received an experimental vaccine for this Ebola-like infection just three days after its deployment.
While there is currently no approved cure for Marburg disease, Rwanda has explored various therapeutic options. Gilead Sciences Inc. provided remdesivir, an antiviral drug previously tested during the 2018 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for emergency administration under compassionate-use guidelines.
“We see this as an opportunity for us to expand our preparedness capabilities,” Nsanzimana remarked, emphasizing the importance of leveraging learned lessons to enhance the nation’s future readiness against similar health threats.
What were the key strategies used by Rwanda to manage the Marburg disease outbreak effectively?
**Interview with Dr. Claire Mugisha, Infectious Disease Specialist**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mugisha. Rwanda recently declared the end of its Marburg disease outbreak. Can you provide an overview of what this means for the country and its healthcare system?
**Dr. Mugisha**: Thank you for having me. The declaration of the cessation of the Marburg outbreak is indeed a significant milestone for Rwanda. It indicates that the country’s rapid response and containment measures have been successful, particularly following the discharge of the last patient. This not only reflects positively on our healthcare infrastructure but also boosts public confidence in our health systems.
**Editor**: What measures contributed to the effective management of this outbreak?
**Dr. Mugisha**: Several strategies were crucial. First, the rapid identification of cases allowed for swift isolation and treatment of infected individuals. The government also implemented rigorous contact tracing and public health messaging to educate communities about prevention measures. In addition, a surveillance system was established to monitor potential sources, especially focused on cave-dwelling bats, which are known carriers of the virus.
**Editor**: Is the World Health Organization’s declaration the next step, and what criteria need to be met for that?
**Dr. Mugisha**: Yes, the WHO will make an official declaration after 42 consecutive days without new confirmed cases, which corresponds to two full incubation periods of the Marburg virus. This period is critical to ensure that all potential cases are accounted for and that the outbreak is truly under control.
**Editor**: How is the government planning to prevent future outbreaks of Marburg or similar diseases?
**Dr. Mugisha**: The government is focusing on enhanced surveillance and monitoring across the country, not just in one area. This includes community engagement to promote awareness about zoonotic diseases and ongoing research into the wildlife reservoirs of potential infectious agents. Strengthening our healthcare system, including training more healthcare workers in outbreak response, is also a priority.
**Editor**: Thank you for the insights, Dr. Mugisha. It’s encouraging to see Rwanda making strides in public health.
**Dr. Mugisha**: Thank you for having me. It’s a hopeful time, but we must remain vigilant to protect public health.