Marburg virus disease

On 27 September 2024, an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) was declared in Rwanda. As of 14 October 2024, there have been 62 reported cases: 15 people have died, 21 people are in isolation and receiving treatment, and 26 people are reported to have recovered.  Most confirmed cases have been healthcare workers. Confirmed cases have been reported in seven of Rwanda’s 30 districts. Testing efforts have expanded, with the Ministry of Health reporting that over 3,797 tests had been conducted as of 14 October 2024.

MVD is a filovirus and, like Ebola virus disease (EVD), is a viral haemorrhagic fever that can have fatality rates as high as 90%. MVD is not airborne and is not considered to be contagious before symptoms appear. Direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated items is therefore necessary for transmission to occur. With good infection prevention and control (IPC) in place, risk of infection is considered minimal. There is currently no approved treatment or vaccine for MVD. Supportive care is therefore advised, and surveillance, IPC, and isolation of cases (i.e., public health and social measures) are critical to controlling an outbreak of MVD.

Community engagement and risk communication activities must emphasise early care-seeking and be sensitive to the barriers people perceive that they face in accessing formal healthcare. Associated cross-pillar community engagement activities should seek to address those barriers. Communication and intervention strategies must be culturally sensitive, align with community values, and address specific local concerns to improve the effectiveness and uptake of public health measures.

SSHAP’s resources on the current MVD outbreak in Rwanda focus on key response considerations, including national response capabilities, local governance structures, and regional and economic implications.