Marburg Virus Epidemic in Rwanda

This is the first Marburg virus epidemic in Rwanda, with 12 fatalities and 46 confirmed illnesses. With only around 1,500 physicians to treat a population of over 13 million, it is particularly alarming since healthcare professionals are the ones most impacted (80% of cases). There may be significant strain on Rwanda's healthcare system as a result.

Marburg Virus Overview

• Remembered for Marburg Virus Diseases (MVD) with a fatality rate of 24% to 88%.
• First described in 1967 from patients in Marburg, Germany; subsequent cases have primarily been reported from Africa.
• Transmission of MVD from cave-dwelling Rousettus bats to humans can occur through contact with infected bodily fluids or surfaces.
• Symptoms usually appear 2 to 21 days after infection and may include a high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting.
• In severe cases, bleeding and death occurs within 8 to 9 days via hemorrhagic exsanguination and shock.
• There are no available effective vaccines or treatments for MVD, so the usual recommendation is supportive care;
• Experimental vaccines and treatments: Rwanda also looking into this, with the Sabin Vaccine Institute administering 700 doses of an experimental vaccine.