After 42 days of fierce fighting, the Rwandan government announced the end of the Marburg outbreak, a virus similar to Ebola, on December 20. The outbreak, which began on September 27, has affected 66 people and caused 15 deaths. News has closed this dark chapter in Rwanda’s health history, with a mortality rate of 22.7% among confirmed cases, one of the lowest ever recorded during a Marburg outbreak.
Dr. Brian Chirombo, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Rwanda, emphasizes the importance of learning from this ordeal. Thanks to effective case management and a proactive strategy, the human toll has been significantly reduced, and community transmission has been stopped. This unified approach, based on rapid detection, contact tracing and isolation, has positioned Rwanda as a regional reference in the fight against Marburg.
However, the end of this epidemic does not mean the end of vigilance. Health authorities warn of the risk of new outbreaks, particularly in mines where bats, natural vectors of the virus, have transmitted the infection. In order to prevent future episodes, new teams and strategies have been put in place, including the monitoring of bats using cutting-edge technologies.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, insists on improving rapid detection systems within health structures, stressing that more than 80% of confirmed cases were health professionals. It is essential to strengthen the capacities of emergency rooms and intensive care units to better anticipate and treat potential future crises.
In conclusion, the closure of the Marburg epidemic in Rwanda marks a victory, but also a reminder of the need to remain vigilant and prepared in the face of health threats. The experience gained during this crisis must be used to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms, in order to ensure the safety and health of the Rwandan population.