Marburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomes
Abstract Background Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever with fatality rates between 33 and 88% in sub-Saharan Africa. Rwanda reported its first MVD outbreak on September 27, 2024. This study assessed Rwanda’s response to its first MVD outbreak, focusing on identifying cri...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-04123-w |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849325866415292416 |
|---|---|
| author | Gashaija Absolomon Canita R. Brent Emmanuel C. Nyabyenda Kelly Mwiza Piero Irakiza Zuki Chiwandire Caroline Mudereri Nathalie Umutoni Sabine Musange Eric Seruyange Felix K. Rubuga Theogene Twagiramugabe Sanctus Musafiri Edson Rwagasore Jeanine Condo |
| author_facet | Gashaija Absolomon Canita R. Brent Emmanuel C. Nyabyenda Kelly Mwiza Piero Irakiza Zuki Chiwandire Caroline Mudereri Nathalie Umutoni Sabine Musange Eric Seruyange Felix K. Rubuga Theogene Twagiramugabe Sanctus Musafiri Edson Rwagasore Jeanine Condo |
| author_sort | Gashaija Absolomon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever with fatality rates between 33 and 88% in sub-Saharan Africa. Rwanda reported its first MVD outbreak on September 27, 2024. This study assessed Rwanda’s response to its first MVD outbreak, focusing on identifying critical success factors and areas for improvement during the initial 10 days after outbreak declaration. Methods This observational study analyzed publicly available data from daily screenings and outbreak reports provided by the Rwanda Ministry of Health and Rwanda Biomedical Center between September 27 and October 7, 2024. The study examined confirmed cases, deaths, testing rates, and recoveries, including healthcare response measures. Data was collected from checkpoints and passenger screening at entry points, with information aggregated into Rwanda’s Health System. Results By October 7, 2024, Rwanda reported 56 confirmed MVD cases, including 12 deaths and 8 recoveries. Daily screening began on October 3rd, and by October 7th, 2387 individuals were tested, with a positivity rate of 2.3%. Healthcare workers accounted for over 70% of confirmed cases. No new deaths were reported from October 4 (day 7) until October 7th (day 10), though the first 2–3 days after outbreak declaration were critical, with 6 deaths occurring during this period. Rwanda’s response included increased testing, early detection, intensive care management, experimental therapeutics (monoclonal antibodies and remdesivir), and comprehensive contact tracing. Conclusions Analysis of the first 10 days of Rwanda’s MVD outbreak provides valuable insights into effective outbreak response, highlighting the importance of early interventions, healthcare worker protection, enhanced testing, and international collaboration. Early detection and intensive management of cases, including advanced critical care and strong laboratory infrastructure, are essential to reduce early mortality. These findings emphasize the need to strengthen healthcare systems by establishing rapid preparedness and response mechanisms before outbreaks occur and fostering international partnerships to enhance outbreak management and control. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-13e9a7a56f83472e8b06edb01d017e46 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1741-7015 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-13e9a7a56f83472e8b06edb01d017e462025-08-20T03:48:18ZengBMCBMC Medicine1741-70152025-05-0123111210.1186/s12916-025-04123-wMarburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomesGashaija Absolomon0Canita R. Brent1Emmanuel C. Nyabyenda2Kelly Mwiza3Piero Irakiza4Zuki Chiwandire5Caroline Mudereri6Nathalie Umutoni7Sabine Musange8Eric Seruyange9Felix K. Rubuga10Theogene Twagiramugabe11Sanctus Musafiri12Edson Rwagasore13Jeanine Condo14Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of RwandaCenter for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of RwandaUniversity Teaching Hospital of Kigali-CHUKRwanda Biomedical CenterCenter for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN)Abstract Background Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever with fatality rates between 33 and 88% in sub-Saharan Africa. Rwanda reported its first MVD outbreak on September 27, 2024. This study assessed Rwanda’s response to its first MVD outbreak, focusing on identifying critical success factors and areas for improvement during the initial 10 days after outbreak declaration. Methods This observational study analyzed publicly available data from daily screenings and outbreak reports provided by the Rwanda Ministry of Health and Rwanda Biomedical Center between September 27 and October 7, 2024. The study examined confirmed cases, deaths, testing rates, and recoveries, including healthcare response measures. Data was collected from checkpoints and passenger screening at entry points, with information aggregated into Rwanda’s Health System. Results By October 7, 2024, Rwanda reported 56 confirmed MVD cases, including 12 deaths and 8 recoveries. Daily screening began on October 3rd, and by October 7th, 2387 individuals were tested, with a positivity rate of 2.3%. Healthcare workers accounted for over 70% of confirmed cases. No new deaths were reported from October 4 (day 7) until October 7th (day 10), though the first 2–3 days after outbreak declaration were critical, with 6 deaths occurring during this period. Rwanda’s response included increased testing, early detection, intensive care management, experimental therapeutics (monoclonal antibodies and remdesivir), and comprehensive contact tracing. Conclusions Analysis of the first 10 days of Rwanda’s MVD outbreak provides valuable insights into effective outbreak response, highlighting the importance of early interventions, healthcare worker protection, enhanced testing, and international collaboration. Early detection and intensive management of cases, including advanced critical care and strong laboratory infrastructure, are essential to reduce early mortality. These findings emphasize the need to strengthen healthcare systems by establishing rapid preparedness and response mechanisms before outbreaks occur and fostering international partnerships to enhance outbreak management and control.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-04123-wMarburg virus diseaseRwandaOutbreakEarly detectionManagementHealthcare response |
| spellingShingle | Gashaija Absolomon Canita R. Brent Emmanuel C. Nyabyenda Kelly Mwiza Piero Irakiza Zuki Chiwandire Caroline Mudereri Nathalie Umutoni Sabine Musange Eric Seruyange Felix K. Rubuga Theogene Twagiramugabe Sanctus Musafiri Edson Rwagasore Jeanine Condo Marburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomes BMC Medicine Marburg virus disease Rwanda Outbreak Early detection Management Healthcare response |
| title | Marburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomes |
| title_full | Marburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomes |
| title_fullStr | Marburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Marburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomes |
| title_short | Marburg virus disease in Rwanda: an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response, clinical interventions, and outcomes |
| title_sort | marburg virus disease in rwanda an observational study of the first 10 days of outbreak response clinical interventions and outcomes |
| topic | Marburg virus disease Rwanda Outbreak Early detection Management Healthcare response |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-04123-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gashaijaabsolomon marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT canitarbrent marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT emmanuelcnyabyenda marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT kellymwiza marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT pieroirakiza marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT zukichiwandire marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT carolinemudereri marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT nathalieumutoni marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT sabinemusange marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT ericseruyange marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT felixkrubuga marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT theogenetwagiramugabe marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT sanctusmusafiri marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT edsonrwagasore marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes AT jeaninecondo marburgvirusdiseaseinrwandaanobservationalstudyofthefirst10daysofoutbreakresponseclinicalinterventionsandoutcomes |