Ministry of Health urges Rwandans not to fear the Marburg virus outbreak

By Prince Boris Cyubahiro.

Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, has assured the public that there is no need for alarm over the Marburg virus outbreak, as it does not spread through the air like COVID-19. He noted, however, that the disease has a high fatality rate, killing between 28% to 90% of those infected.

Dr. Nsanzimana provided an update on the outbreak in Rwanda, which has so far claimed the lives of six people out of 26 confirmed cases, with around 300 individuals having come into contact with those infected. He urged Rwandans to focus on maintaining hygiene and avoid physical contact to prevent the spread of the virus.

During a press briefing with the media and other stakeholders, Dr. Nsanzimana stated that this is the first time the Marburg virus has been detected in Rwanda, though it has previously been found in other countries and has led to 13 outbreaks globally.

“This virus often originates from animals, such as monkeys or bats. Once a person is infected, they may show symptoms within 3 to 21 days.” He explained.

He added that since the National Laboratory confirmed the presence of the virus, efforts have been ongoing to contain the outbreak and trace its origin. However, the investigation is still ongoing to determine the exact source of the infection.

Minister Nsanzimana confirmed that six people have died from the Marburg virus, with 20 confirmed cases among individuals who have had contact with around 300 people. He called on the public to remain calm and continue with their daily activities, while adhering to hygiene measures and avoiding physical contact, as this is the primary mode of transmission for the virus.

He emphasized, “We also ask that the public stay calm and continue with their daily activities. This disease is different from others we’ve dealt with, like COVID-19, because it does not spread through the air. Therefore, it’s crucial to avoid physical contact and maintain good hygiene.”

Dr. Nsanzimana further clarified that wearing face masks is not an effective prevention measure against the Marburg virus. Instead, the focus should be on avoiding contact with bodily fluids or blood from individuals showing symptoms, as the virus spreads through such contact. Even if someone wears a mask, they could still contract the virus if they touch contaminated surfaces or fluids.

He also noted that the government is covering the costs and providing medical care to those infected with the Marburg virus, whether they are critically ill or not, as it is the state’s responsibility to manage the outbreak.

Dr. Nsanzimana reiterated that there are no plans to halt daily activities or impose restrictions on movement. Instead, the public is urged to follow hygiene guidelines and avoid physical contact.

“From day one, we’ve emphasized that people should continue their regular activities as usual. We are now in a good position in these early days, and in other places where the virus has appeared, it hasn’t lasted long—typically two or three months. The most important thing in managing such outbreaks is identifying it early and quickly containing it.” He said.

Dr. Brian Chirombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Rwanda, added that this is not the first Marburg virus outbreak in the region. In every instance, the virus has been successfully contained through timely intervention.

“This is not the first Marburg virus outbreak in this region. The outbreak can be contained quickly, but it requires cooperation from the public and health authorities in terms of testing, sharing information about those who have been in contact with infected individuals, and more.” He stated.

The Marburg virus is a severe illness in the same category as Ebola, first identified in 1967 in the cities of Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, as well as in Belgrade, Serbia. Marburg outbreaks have occurred at different times in countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda. The virus was most recently reported in Tanzania in February 2023.

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