Ayobamiji Komolafe 
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Wednesday announced that the Republic of Rwanda has confirmed 27 cases of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) and nine related deaths as of September 30, 2024.
The outbreak was officially declared by Rwanda’s Ministry of Health on September 27, 2024.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, Africa CDC revealed that most of the confirmed cases involved healthcare workers, and over 297 contacts have been registered and placed under follow-up.
To contain the spread of the deadly virus, efforts are underway by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with various partners by enhancing preventive measures across health facilities.
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Also, Contact tracing has been intensified, and those infected have been isolated for treatment.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health has urged Rwandans to remain vigilant by practicing strict hygiene, washing hands with soap, sanitizing regularly, and taking precautionary measures when in contact with others.
Marburg Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal zoonotic illness caused by the Marburg virus, transmitted to humans through fruit bats.
Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids or contaminated equipment.
However, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for MVD, while supportive therapy remains the recommended course of action for affected individuals.
Medical experts advised that preventive protocols similar to those used for Ebola should be applied to control the spread of the virus.
It would be recalled that on September 29, Africa CDC dispatched a team of experts to assist Rwanda in its response to the outbreak.
The agency is also working with Rwanda’s neighboring countries, including Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to address cross-border risks and develop regional surveillance strategies to curb the virus’s spread.
Also, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, is expected to join Africa CDC’s Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, in a press briefing on Thursday, October 3, to discuss the country’s ongoing efforts to manage the outbreak.
