Rwanda reports progress in Marburg virus disease fight as recoveries outpace fatalities

KIGALI, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — Rwanda is making significant strides in its fight against the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak, with recent data showing more recoveries than fatalities.
Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana provided this update during a Sunday press conference in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, as the country continues its efforts to contain the spread of the disease. “In the past seven days, we have seen more recoveries than deaths, which is a positive sign that the protective measures and treatments we have implemented are producing results,” Nsanzimana said.
He highlighted that since the MVD was detected in Rwanda at the end of last month, 61 people have been infected — 14 have died, 18 have recovered, and 29 remain under treatment.
Nsanzimana added that no new infections have been detected in the last three days of testing, though he cautioned against complacency. “This doesn’t mean we can relax our efforts,” he warned.
Of the 700 vaccines received, 620 doses have already been administered to frontline workers and emergency responders. The cumulative number of tests conducted in the country had reached 3,376 as of Saturday, according to the latest update by the Ministry of Health.
Rwanda’s first batch of 700 Marburg vaccines arrived on Oct. 5.
Nsanzimana also reassured the public that all confirmed cases so far have been traced to a hospital cluster in Kigali, and all patients are under isolation and treatment. There is no evidence of community transmission at this time.
He announced that Rwanda received an additional 1,000 doses of the Marburg vaccine Saturday, which will be used to continue protecting those at the highest risk.
Nsanzimana revealed that three of the 29 patients currently receiving treatment are critically ill, and medical teams are doing everything possible to save them.
Looking ahead, he said that the government is reviewing its current health guidelines and will soon announce updated protocols. He clarified that the vaccine rollout will continue to prioritize frontline workers and those most at risk while vaccinating the general population is not yet necessary.
“The world faces many potential epidemics, and we must always be prepared to handle them,” Nsanzimana said, reflecting on the broader implications of the outbreak.
Brian Chirombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Rwanda, also spoke at the press conference, praising the country’s response. He advised against imposing travel and trade restrictions. “The measures Rwanda and its partners have taken are sufficient. Restricting travel would only harm the country’s economy without improving the situation.”
Authorities are urging all residents to stay informed and continue following health guidelines as Rwanda works to contain and eliminate the outbreak.
MVD, a highly virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever, has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent and is caused by a virus from the same family as Ebola, according to WHO. Symptoms typically appear within seven days of infection and include high fever, severe headaches, and malaise. ■