Rwanda Declares Marburg Outbreak Over, Closes Treatment Center
TLDR
- Rwanda declares end of Marburg virus outbreak, treatment center shut down after successful containment measures.
- Outbreak traced to cave-dwelling bats, resulting in 66 cases, 23% fatality rate, and 51 recoveries.
- Rapid response actions, including isolation, contact tracing, vaccine administration, key in controlling virus spread.
Rwanda has declared the end of its Marburg virus outbreak and shut down its treatment center after nearly two weeks without any new cases and a month without fatalities.
The last patient was discharged a week ago, according to Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana. Official confirmation from the World Health Organization will follow after a 42-day period without new cases.
The outbreak, traced to cave-dwelling bats, began in September and resulted in 66 cases and a 23% fatality rate, with 51 recoveries. Rapid response measures, including isolation, contact tracing, and administration of an experimental vaccine, helped contain the virus. Rwanda also utilized remdesivir from Gilead Sciences for emergency treatment.
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Key Takeaways
Rwanda’s proactive response to Marburg, a virus with a high fatality rate in past outbreaks, highlights improvements in its health system. By swiftly isolating cases, using experimental treatments, and monitoring high-risk areas, Rwanda limited the spread of the virus. Health authorities now aim to expand preparedness capabilities, monitoring Marburg sources and refining emergency protocols to protect against future outbreaks, further strengthening the region's resilience to infectious diseases.
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