The World Health Organization (WHO) is readying emergency supplies to send to Rwanda following the country's first outbreak of the highly contagious Marburg virus, as authorities attempt to trace people who may be at risk. Rwanda confirmed 27 cases of the virus, resulting in nine deaths, in an update posted on the social media platform X on Monday (30 September), just days after announcing the outbreak. The virus, which comes from the same family as Ebola, has a fatality rate of up to 88 per cent.
There is currently no authorized vaccine or treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 160 people who came into contact with confirmed cases are being monitored. The WHO said those infected were spread across seven of the country's 30 districts.
Initial contact tracing and testing has shown that the virus is more prevalent in health facilities, according to updates shared by the Rwandan Health Ministry on Saturday (28 September). "Most of the victims are health workers, particularly those who work in intensive care units," said Rwanda's health minister, Sabin Nsanzimana. "The Ministry of Health is working with other institutions and partners to trace those who could have come in contact with the patients and the deceased.
" Rwanda confirmed the first cases of the Marburg virus on Friday (27 September), after detecting the infection in health facilities. Related Stories Phase 1 trial shows safety and efficacy of personalized vaccine for lymphoplasmacytic ly.
