The Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda is now deemed “under control,” with the risk of this hemorrhagic fever spreading beyond the country’s borders being “virtually nil,” according to the African Union’s health agency, Africa CDC, on Thursday.
“The outbreak in Rwanda is under control,” declared Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of Africa CDC, during an online press briefing.
Rwanda, a small nation in the Great Lakes region, has reported 58 confirmed cases of the virus and 13 fatalities, as highlighted by Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana during the briefing.
Twelve individuals have recovered from the illness, and over 2,700 people have been tested, he noted. “We estimated a mortality rate of approximately 22% during testing, and we aim to reduce this rate as much as possible,” he added.
The Marburg outbreak was officially announced in Rwanda on September 28, and a vaccination campaign utilizing an experimental vaccine commenced last weekend.
With a potential fatality rate reaching up to 88%, this highly dangerous virus causes severe fever often accompanied by bleeding that affects multiple organs.
In an update on the outbreak delivered Wednesday, Mr. Kaseya emphasized that no new cases or deaths had been reported in Rwanda, stating, “This indicates we expect Rwanda to emerge from the outbreak very soon.”
He further asserted that the risk of the virus spreading beyond Rwanda is “virtually nil,” insisting, “There is a 95% certainty that there is zero risk of the disease spreading outside of Rwanda.” (APS)
