Rwanda has officially declared the end of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak, marking 42 consecutive days without a new case. This milestone follows the recovery and discharge of the last confirmed patient, aligning with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
The outbreak, which began in mid-September 2024, resulted in 66 confirmed cases, 15 deaths, and 51 recoveries. Among the survivors, two patients were successfully extubated after intensive care, signifying a significant breakthrough in clinical management.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, described the achievement as a testament to Rwanda’s public health resilience. “While we mourn the lives lost, we are encouraged by the progress made. This success is due to the dedication of healthcare workers, the government, and our partners whose seamless collaboration contained the outbreak effectively. We’ve also identified the virus’s zoonotic origin and continue to strengthen our surveillance systems,” he said.
From the onset, Rwanda activated a robust response, establishing a 24/7 command post to oversee surveillance, testing, case management, vaccination, and community engagement. This swift and coordinated approach ensured that all aspects of the outbreak were addressed efficiently.
The successful containment of the Marburg outbreak highlights Rwanda’s commitment to building resilient health systems and enhancing its readiness to respond to future health emergencies.
