Absolomon Gashaija, Brent Canita R, Nyabyenda Emmanuel C, Mwiza Kelly, Irakiza Piero, Chiwandire Zuki, Mudereri Caroline, Umutoni Nathalie, Musange Sabine, Seruyange Eric, Rubuga Felix K, Twagiramugabe Theogene, Musafiri Sanctus, Rwagasore Edson, Condo Jeanine
Center for Impact, Innovation and Capacity Building in Health Information Systems and Nutrition (CIIC-HIN), Kigali, Rwanda.
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
BMC Med. 2025 May 20;23(1):292. doi: 10.1186/s12916-025-04123-w.
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.
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.
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.
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.
马尔堡病毒病（MVD）是一种高度致命的出血热，在撒哈拉以南非洲地区的病死率为33%至88%。卢旺达于2024年9月27日报告了其首例马尔堡病毒病疫情。本研究评估了卢旺达对其首例马尔堡病毒病疫情的应对措施，重点是确定疫情宣布后的最初10天内的关键成功因素和改进领域。
这项观察性研究分析了卢旺达卫生部和卢旺达生物医学中心在2024年9月27日至10月7日期间提供的每日筛查和疫情报告中的公开数据。该研究检查了确诊病例、死亡病例、检测率和康复情况，包括医疗应对措施。数据从入境点的检查站和旅客筛查中收集，并汇总到卢旺达的卫生系统中。
截至2024年10月7日，卢旺达报告了56例确诊的马尔堡病毒病病例，包括12例死亡和8例康复。每日筛查于10月3日开始，到10月7日，共检测了2387人，阳性率为2.3%。确诊病例中70%以上为医护人员。从10月4日（第7天）到10月7日（第10天）没有报告新的死亡病例，不过在疫情宣布后的头2至3天至关重要，在此期间有6例死亡。卢旺达的应对措施包括增加检测、早期发现、重症监护管理、实验性治疗（单克隆抗体和瑞德西韦）以及全面的接触者追踪。
对卢旺达马尔堡病毒病疫情最初10天的分析为有效的疫情应对提供了宝贵见解，突出了早期干预、医护人员保护、加强检测和国际合作的重要性。对病例的早期发现和强化管理，包括先进重症监护和强大的实验室基础设施，对于降低早期死亡率至关重要。这些发现强调了通过在疫情发生前建立快速准备和应对机制以及促进国际伙伴关系以加强疫情管理和控制来加强卫生系统的必要性。
