Rwanda Marburg outbreak: Africa health chief criticises US travel advice

While no vaccines against Marburg have been approved, Rwanda has begun trials with supplies sent from Sabin Institute, a US-based non-profit organisation.

It has vaccinated 200 people, prioritising healthcare workers and contacts of confirmed cases, with plans to expand vaccination as more doses arrive.

Africa CDC has also provided 5,000 Marburg test kits to Rwanda and neighbouring countries to strengthen cross-border surveillance.

Maria has not yet been offered a vaccine but remains determined to continue working.

“I am a nurse, I am on the front line, we have to fight it, but the fear is constant,” she said.

Anxiety over the virus spreading to Europe saw authorities in Germany shut down part of Hamburg’s central station a few days ago, after a medical student and his companion fell ill following their visit to Rwanda. Both eventually tested negative for Marburg virus.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its second-highest level of travel notice for Rwanda, recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Rwanda due to the outbreak.

Rwanda’s neighbours, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which have all recorded Marburg cases in the past, have all increased their border surveillance to prevent the spread.

While Burundi has gone a step further, setting up an emergency treatment and isolation centre in readiness for an outbreak.

Africa’s CDC said it was improving public health emergency training to help staff handle any Marburg outbreaks more effectively.

The Rwandan authorities have taken steps to restrict funerals for virus victims to 50 attendees to help curb the spread of the disease.

Additionally, they have implemented passenger questionnaires, and hand-sanitising stations at departure points, along with temperature checks at entry and exit points across the country.