In September 2024, Rwanda faced its first-ever outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), a severe and often fatal illness with a case fatality rate ranging from 24% to 88%. The outbreak, confirmed on 27 September 2024, followed reports of unexplained illnesses and deaths in Kigali.
This public health crisis posed significant challenges, particularly for healthcare workers, highlighting gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
Rwanda’s response to the outbreak was rapid and coordinated, thanks to strong collaboration between the Ministry of Health and both local and international partners.
Key organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and other development partners, played critical roles in supporting the Government of Rwanda in dealing with Marburg virus disease.
Their efforts enabled the swift mobilization of expert teams, procurement and distribution of essential supplies, and training of frontline workers.
WHO provided vital technical support, including personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory testing kits, case management tools, and logistical support. They also worked closely with national authorities to improve outbreak coordination, enhance surveillance systems, and develop effective communication strategies.
Dr. Brian Chirombo, WHO Representative to Rwanda, emphasized the importance of timely interventions, noting that it assisted in addressing the Marburg virus disease: “The funding from ECHO and FCDO was essential in ensuring the availability of supplies and supporting health workers, ultimately improving health outcomes.”
Mobilizing Experts for Effective Response to Marburg Virus Disease
At the request of Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, WHO deployed a team of technical experts to support critical areas such as coordination, surveillance, laboratory operations, clinical case management, IPC, mental health support, logistics, and community engagement.
Additionally, 39 professionals from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, experienced in managing filovirus outbreaks, were brought in to assist Rwanda’s health teams. Their expertise was particularly important as many local health workers were affected by the virus early in the outbreak. These experts helped fill critical gaps in human resources, strengthen IPC measures, and improve service delivery.
This deployment highlighted the value of South-to-South collaboration, where shared experiences and cultural familiarity enabled an efficient response, offering a model for future emergency preparedness in Africa and beyond.
Scaling Up Training and Preparedness
With support from WHO, ECHO, and FCDO, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health implemented widespread training for healthcare workers across the country to reduce the spread and impact of Marburg virus disease.
The training covered areas such as early detection, safe patient handling, IPC best practices, and community engagement.
New guidelines and standard operating procedures were developed to ensure a unified approach to containment and protection, benefiting healthcare workers and improving service delivery.
A Model of Successful Partnership
Rwanda’s successful containment of the Marburg outbreak, with a relatively low case fatality rate of 22.7%, demonstrates the power of coordinated partnerships.
The collaborative efforts, led by the Ministry of Health and supported by WHO, ECHO, FCDO, and other partners, transformed a potential crisis into a controlled response.
This response highlights the importance of continued investment in health security and preparedness. As Rwanda builds on the lessons learned, this experience offers both a national success story and a regional model for handling future infectious disease outbreaks.
