Rwanda is currently facing its first outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, with 36 confirmed cases and 11 fatalities reported.

The World Health Organization has assessed the outbreak’s risk level as very high in Rwanda, high in the broader African region, and low on a global scale.

What is Marburg Virus?

Marburg virus, related to Ebola, causes hemorrhagic fever, with an average fatality rate around 50%, though it has surged as high as 88% in past outbreaks. The WHO emphasizes that prompt medical attention and rehydration can significantly enhance survival rates.

Symptoms typically include sudden fever, severe headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially uncontrolled bleeding.

Researchers first identified the virus in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, linking it to laboratory exposure to African green monkeys from Uganda. Since then, there have been outbreaks and isolated cases in several African nations, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda.

How Does It Spread?

Extended contact with caves or mines inhabited by Rousettus fruit bats transmits Marburg to humans. It can also spread between individuals via direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or through contaminated surfaces.

Is There a Vaccine?

Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or treatments for Marburg, although several promising candidates are in development. Rwanda’s health minister has noted that organizations like the Sabin Vaccine Institute and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) are collaborating on potential solutions. Additionally, the team behind the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has initiated trials for a Marburg vaccine candidate in the UK.

What Else is Happening?

Rwandan health authorities are monitoring approximately 300 individuals who have been in contact with confirmed cases. Notably, around 70% of those infected are healthcare workers from two facilities in Kigali, but cases have emerged across seven of the country’s 30 districts. The virus can spread during funerals, where cultural practices may involve close contact with the deceased, according to Paul Hunter, a medicine professor at the University of East Anglia.

Global health officials are closely monitoring for any potential spread to neighboring countries.

Is Marburg Reaching New Areas?

Yes, Marburg has appeared in new regions in recent years: Guinea reported its first case in 2021, followed by Ghana in 2022, and outbreaks were declared in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea in 2023. Public health interventions have managed these typically small outbreaks. Scientists suggest that human activities encroaching on wildlife habitats may be linked to the increasing outbreaks.

Rwanda is currently experiencing one of the largest recorded outbreaks.