Marburg

Health officials in Rwanda have officially declared the end of the Marburg outbreak, marking a significant milestone more than 40 days after the last patient tested negative and was released from the hospital. During the outbreak, authorities recorded approximately 60 cases of the disease, leading to 15 tragic deaths. Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana shared insights during a recent briefing attended by representatives from the World Health Organization and various members of the diplomatic community, stating, “We have a…

Rwanda is on the verge of officially declaring its Marburg outbreak as resolved after successfully discharging the very last patient who had fully recovered. Over the course of this health crisis, the nation witnessed more than 60 cases of infection, leading to 15 tragic fatalities, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). With a significant number of individuals having emerged victorious against the virus, the mortality rate now sits at a concerning 23%. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that there haven’t been any…

Dr. Yvan Butera, the State Minister for Health in Rwanda, has issued a warning regarding the ongoing battle against the Marburg virus. While he noted some encouraging signs in the country's efforts to contain the outbreak, he emphasized that the crisis "is far from over." Yet, there’s a glimmer of optimism as Dr. Butera remarked, "we are making progress." In another concerning development, the Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) reported that the mpox outbreak—another pressing health threat in the region—is still…

In a recent announcement, Sabin Nsanzimana, the Minister of Health, disclosed that the current Marburg virus outbreak originated with a 27-year-old individual who had come into contact with fruit bats while working in a cave linked to mining activities. This patient sought care at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali. Initially misdiagnosed with malaria, further testing eventually confirmed he was infected with the Marburg virus, leading to a rapid spread of the disease among close contacts and several healthcare workers.…

Rwanda’s Health Minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, recently announced some promising news regarding the country's battle against the Marburg virus. Since the outbreak first emerged in September, there’s been a notable decrease in the rate of new infections, a sign that has the nation hopeful. Nsanzimana described this trend as "very encouraging." Reflecting on the initial phase of the outbreak, he mentioned, "The first two weeks felt somewhat stagnant; we were still unearthing the nature of this virus." However, he expressed…

In a groundbreaking development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially reported that Rwanda is spearheading the world's inaugural clinical trial aimed at treating the Marburg virus disease. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the collaborative effort with the organization, which involves testing a medication currently employed for COVID-19 management—Remdesivir—alongside an antibody specifically engineered to combat the Marburg virus. “This initiative showcases our collective…

Rwandan health officials are deeply engaged in a massive contact tracing initiative, tracking down countless individuals to curtail the spread of a particularly alarming disease across the nation and beyond. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana remarked, “We’re confronting the challenge of viral hemorrhagic fever while simultaneously addressing mpox.” This dual health scare gives rise to a pressing need for swift action. During a recent online briefing, Nsanzimana reiterated their commitment to halting the virus's advance. “We…

The World Health Organization (WHO) is ramping up efforts to provide medical assistance to Rwanda in its fight against the Marburg virus disease (MVD), a lethal hemorrhagic fever that has tragically resulted in nine fatalities to date. According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, authorities have pinpointed around 300 individuals who were in close contact with confirmed cases and are currently under vigilant observation. MVD, a severe virus primarily spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of…

In parallel with the response to the Covid-19 epidemic and the risk of a new Ebola epidemic, Guinea is also battling a possible Marburg fever epidemic. Guinea's health minister wanted to make sure of the prompt response from his staff as soon as a first case was discovered. A case of this highly contagious disease, with a…