Health

Rwanda Traces Marburg Virus Outbreak to Bats, WHO Promises Swift Action and Support

The recent Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda has been traced back to bats, according to Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana. Speaking at a press briefing attended by World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed that the virus originated from a single zoonotic event, meaning it jumped from animals to humans. Following the detection of initial cases, Rwanda acted swiftly to care for those infected and investigate the virus’s origins.

Dr. Tedros praised Rwanda’s immediate and effective response, highlighting President Paul Kagame’s leadership in ensuring that the country took decisive action. “I met with President Kagame last night, and he explained how Rwanda swiftly moved to stop Marburg. I thanked him and his team for their efforts,” he said, commending the collaboration between government officials and health professionals. During his visit, Dr. Tedros observed the medical facilities treating Marburg patients, noting the high standard of care provided, which he described as exceeding that seen in many countries facing similar outbreaks.

State Minister of Health Dr. Yvan Butera provided further insights, explaining that genomic sequencing of the virus revealed it originated from a single transmission event. “We sequenced the virus genomes from three branches of a single cluster and found that all sequences share a single zoonotic origin,” he stated. Additionally, he noted that the current strain shares a common ancestor with the virus responsible for the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which infected over 28,000 people and resulted in more than 11,000 deaths. Dr. Butera explained that the limited mutation rate of the current strain is a positive sign for containment, suggesting that strategies developed during the 2014 epidemic could be effective in managing this outbreak.

Rwanda’s healthcare system, supported by experienced doctors, virologists, and epidemiologists, has demonstrated its capability to manage such outbreaks effectively. Dr. Butera emphasized the country’s robust genomic surveillance systems, which enable early detection of virus mutations and tracking of transmission patterns. “We are fortunate to have a well-trained, highly qualified team that has managed similar outbreaks before,” he said.

Dr. Tedros pledged continued support from WHO for Rwanda’s efforts, including technical assistance and additional resources for testing. He remarked on Rwanda’s health system as a model of preparedness and resilience. With advanced genomic research, experienced healthcare professionals, and strong leadership, Rwanda is well-positioned to manage the Marburg outbreak and protect public health effectively.

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