Marburg Disease Outbreak Reported in Rwanda

According to local media Taarifa, the Rwanda Ministry of Health reported its first Marburg virus disease outbreak today.

As of September 27, 2024, Rwanda's communique stated a 'few' Marburg cases are being investigated. The Ministry added that the situation is closely monitored and that further updates will be provided regularly.

Like Ebolavirus, Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio exceeding 80%.

Marburg cases were first recognized in 1967 in West Germany and Serbia. 

As of September 2024, Angola, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea,  Cameroon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Serbia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda have previously confirmed Marburg cases. 

The World Health Organization published the Marburg virus vaccine development landscape on February 13, 2023. While various vaccine candidates conduct clinical research, no approved vaccines prevent Marburg virus infections.

Unlike Marburg, approved vaccines that prevent and treat Zaire Ebola disease are available in 2024.