Rwanda confirmed cases of the Marburg virus on September 27, reporting its first outbreak of the haemorrhagic disease, whose symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhoea. As of Saturday, October 5, the Ministry of Health had reported 46 cases of the infectious disease and 12 deaths. ALSO READ: Rwanda gets 700 vaccine doses for Marburg virus Most outbreaks of Marburg disease have occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa, though the virus has also spread to other parts of the world, including Germany where it derives its name. The Marburg virus, named after a German city where it was first reported in workers involved in polio vaccine production in 1967, is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spread through human-to-human contact of bodily fluids. ALSO READ: How Rwanda detected the first Marburg virus cases Previous outbreaks of the haemorrhagic disease resulted from infected travellers or accidental laboratory infections, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Countries that faced Marburg outbreaks, such as Tanzania, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea, implemented swift and coordinated responses to contain the virus spread. ALSO READ: Explainer: The origin of Marburg virus, name and nature Here, The New Times looks at the measures other countries deployed to fight Marburg virus outbreaks. 1. Deployment of SURGE teams In response to the 2023 Marburg outbreak, Surge members from the Supporting UNHCR Resources on the Ground with Experts on Mission team in Tanzania underwent intensive training, including drills and simulations on detecting, managing, and monitoring health emergencies. ALSO READ: Marburg: How past outbreaks unfolded Following the development of the SURGE capabilities, twenty-nine trained Surge members were deployed to Kagera, where they played a crucial role in enhancing the outbreak response. Their efforts focused on virus prevention, control, and overall management in the regions affected by the outbreak. 2. Activation the emergency operations centre Health authorities in countries such as Tanzania, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea, which faced Marburg virus outbreaks, promptly activated Incident Management Systems and Emergency Operations Centres. According to the WHO, these centres facilitated effective coordination of response efforts, ensuring that the spread of the virus was contained within affected households and healthcare facilities. And preparedness activities were implemented by the centres across other regions to prevent further escalation of cases. ALSO READ: Marburg virus: Vaccine development underway 3. Rapid response teams National rapid response teams were swiftly mobilized to support surveillance and enhance case management efforts in response to the Marburg virus outbreaks. These teams monitored the spread of the virus, identified new cases, and ensured that those affected received proper care. According to WHO, in order to maintain an organized and efficient response, daily emergency meetings were held with key stakeholders, allowing for real-time assessments and updates on the evolving situation. Comprehensive situation reports were produced regularly, detailing the progress of containment efforts and identifying areas requiring additional resources and attention. This extensive coordination, backed up by timely data and collaborative action, played a crucial role in managing the outbreaks and mitigating impact on affected communities. 4. Robust contact tracing and surveillance Countries mobilised support from partners and stakeholders to implement critical measures aimed at breaking the chain of transmission. These efforts included enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, society education on prevention, timely identification and management of cases, and strict infection prevention and control protocols. The WHO assisted countries with laboratory testing and surveillance, actively searching for new cases and their contacts. ALSO READ: Five patients test negative for Marburg virus, 410 contacts under monitoring 5. Specialised treatment centres Countries established specialised treatment centres to isolate and manage Marburg virus cases effectively. These centres provided intensive care to those affected, while minimizing the risk of further transmission within communities. With WHO’s support in ensuring they were equipped with the necessary medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and trained healthcare workers, the centers played a key role in administering supportive treatments, improving patient outcomes, and containing the outbreak. Alongside these efforts, community engagement was vital, as health authorities raised awareness about the treatment centres, encouraging people to seek medical as soon as they exhibited symptoms and adhere to preventive measures, further reducing the spread and impact of the virus.
