[Source – statnews.com]
The Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda has ignited global concern due to the potential for the virus to spread beyond the country’s borders. With 27 confirmed cases so far, the outbreak is already one of the largest involving the virus, and nine of the infected individuals have succumbed to the disease. The situation is especially alarming as there are currently no licensed vaccines to combat Marburg, which is similar to the Ebola virus in its effects.
Health Workers among the Most Affected
Over 70% of the confirmed cases are among health professionals, many of whom work in two major hospitals located in Kigali, the capital city. With a population of 1.7 million, Kigali serves as a critical hub for both regional and international travel. Flights from the city connect to nearly 20 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, raising concerns about the virus’s potential to spread internationally.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized the risk of the virus spreading to neighboring countries as high and suggests that the threat could extend beyond East Africa. In fact, one contact of a suspected case—the outbreak’s “index case”—has already traveled to another country. While WHO did not initially disclose the location, sources later confirmed it as Belgium. Belgian authorities have been notified, and appropriate response measures are already in place.
WHO’s Risk Assessment and Response
In its latest statement, the WHO assessed the risk of the outbreak as “very high” at the national level, “high” at the regional level, and “low” at the global level. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the outbreak, and the WHO is closely monitoring the situation to update its risk assessment as new information becomes available.
Historically, Marburg virus outbreaks have been small, often involving fewer than 10 cases. However, this outbreak could become one of the largest, given its current trajectory. The largest Marburg virus outbreak to date occurred in 2004-2005 in Angola, resulting in 252 cases and 227 deaths.
Rwanda’s Healthcare System Faces the Challenge
Despite the alarming numbers, experts suggest that Rwanda’s healthcare system is well-prepared to handle the outbreak. According to Craig Spencer, an associate professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health, Rwanda has made significant strides in health security and outbreak preparedness in recent years. “Rwanda has become a stellar standout in the region for its response to health crises,” Spencer said, noting the country’s improved capabilities in managing both chronic and infectious diseases.
Spencer, who has worked on Ebola outbreaks and has experience in Rwanda, praised the country’s ability to handle medical crises without extensive outside assistance. He also emphasized the quality of Rwanda’s road network, which could help in managing the spread of the virus and ensuring that health workers reach affected areas quickly.
International Assistance and Ongoing Efforts
The Rwandan government is actively conducting contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been exposed to confirmed cases. So far, over 300 contacts are being monitored across seven of the country’s 30 districts. In many outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Marburg and Ebola, cases among healthcare workers can indicate that the virus has been spreading unnoticed in the community. However, experts like Spencer believe that Rwanda’s health infrastructure may prevent such a scenario.
The WHO has already deployed a team of seven experts to Rwanda to assist with the response, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has had a presence in Rwanda for over two decades, has also offered its support.
Experimental Vaccines and Treatments
While there are no licensed vaccines for Marburg, several experimental drugs and vaccines are currently in development. However, the infrequent and small-scale nature of Marburg virus outbreaks has made it difficult to test these treatments. Unlike the Ebola vaccines developed by pharmaceutical giants Merck and Janssen, the Marburg vaccines are in the hands of nonprofit organizations like IAVI and the Sabin Institute.
Rwanda would need to approve the testing of these experimental treatments during this outbreak. However, IAVI’s president and CEO, Mark Feinburg, has indicated that they currently do not have doses ready for testing. The Sabin Institute has not yet responded to inquiries about the availability of their vaccine.
As the outbreak unfolds, the international community is watching closely, hoping to contain the virus before it can spread to other countries or regions.
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