Marburg Virus Outbreak: Rwanda Reports New Case, Total Now 63
Rwanda’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a new case of the Marburg virus disease, bringing the total number of cases to 63. This latest development comes after a week-long hiatus in new cases, with the previous confirmation reported on October 15.
According to the Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, the new case is a medical worker who has been treating Marburg patients since the outbreak began. This brings the total number of medical workers infected to around 80% of the confirmed cases.
As of Wednesday, October 23, there were two patients under treatment, while 46 patients have recovered since the outbreak was confirmed on September 27. Unfortunately, 15 deaths have been reported, resulting in a fatality rate of around 24%. This is significantly lower than the average 50% fatality rate for Marburg cases, and a far cry from the 88% death toll seen in some previous outbreaks.
Genomic sequencing of the Marburg virus has revealed that the index case was linked to a zoonotic origin, meaning the virus was transmitted directly from an animal to a human without passing through multiple hosts.
In response to the outbreak, the Rwandan government has implemented various measures to contain the spread of the virus. These include limiting hospital and school visits, as well as rolling out a vaccination drive targeting healthcare workers and other high-risk groups. As of Wednesday, around 1,280 people had received the vaccine, which was developed by the American organisation Sabin Vaccine Institute.
Patients are being treated with monoclonal antibodies and the anti-viral drug remdesivir. The government’s swift response and proactive measures have been instrumental in mitigating the spread of the virus, and efforts continue to be made to bring the outbreak under control.
The Marburg virus outbreak has been a significant concern for Rwanda, but the country’s healthcare system has shown resilience in the face of this infectious disease. With continued vigilance and cooperation, it is hoped that the outbreak will soon be brought to an end.
