Ebola-Like Marburg Virus Is Well Travelled And Has A Long History — From 1967 Germany To 2024 Rwanda

Marburg History: Rwanda is experiencing its first Marburg outbreak, with 11 deaths. Marburg, related to Ebola, causes severe fever with a high fatality rate. It has a long history dating back to 1967.

Marburg disease symptoms include severe headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and stomach aches.

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Marburg Outbreak: Rwanda is currently facing its first-ever outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, with 36 reported cases and 11 deaths, according to the Rwandan Ministry of Health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the risk posed by the outbreak is 'very high' within Rwanda, and 'high' across the African region, but 'low' globally. 

Marburg virus, a close relative of the Ebola virus, causes viral hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate averaging 50%. In some outbreaks, the mortality rate has reached as high as 88%. According to the WHO, early clinical care, including rehydration, can improve the survival chances of those infected.

Symptoms of Marburg virus disease include severe headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and stomach aches. The virus is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with fruit bats, but once in the human population, it can spread through contact with bodily fluids.

History Of Marburg Virus Disease

The Marburg virus was first identified in 1967 when simultaneous outbreaks occurred in the German cities of Marburg and Frankfurt, and in Belgrade, Serbia. These outbreaks were traced back to African green monkeys imported from Uganda, which were being used for laboratory research, according to the WHO. Of the 31 individuals infected, seven died. The virus, part of the Filoviridae family, shares many similarities with Ebola, both in its structure and its capacity to cause severe outbreaks with high mortality rates.

Over the decades, the Marburg virus has led to numerous outbreaks, primarily in Africa but also in other parts of the world. Several outbreaks have been linked to mines and caves inhabited by fruit bats, believed to be the virus’s primary natural host. Human transmission typically occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials.

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Notable Marburg Virus Outbreaks In The Past

1975, South Africa: A man returning from Zimbabwe was the first known case, and transmission occurred to his companion and a nurse. The original patient died, but the others recovered after receiving treatment, according to the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

1980, Kenya: A man who had visited Kitum Cave in Mount Elgon National Park contracted the disease and died. A doctor who attempted to resuscitate him also became infected but survived.

1998-2000, Democratic Republic of Congo: This outbreak, linked to a gold mine in the Durba region, resulted in 154 cases and 128 deaths, marking one of the deadliest occurrences of Marburg virus disease with a case fatality rate of 83%.

2004-2005, Angola: In Uige Province, Angola, an outbreak resulted in 252 confirmed cases and 227 deaths, making it the largest and most lethal outbreak of the virus recorded to date.

2008, The Netherlands and USA: Two separate cases involved tourists who had visited bat-inhabited caves in Uganda. A Dutch woman died of the disease, while an American traveler survived after developing symptoms upon returning to the US.

2021, Guinea: A single fatal case of Marburg was reported, the first in West Africa. Over 170 contacts were monitored, but no further cases emerged.

First Marburg Outbreak In Rwanda

The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda was first confirmed in late September 2024. The Rwandan Ministry of Health is reported to have initiated isolation measures and is monitoring over 400 contacts of infected individuals. Yvan Butera, the Rwandan Minister of State for Health, also announced plans to begin vaccine and therapeutic trials to curb the spread of the virus.

Rwanda’s health authorities have said they are working to contain the outbreak, with efforts underway to prevent further transmission. The WHO has also said that it is closely monitoring the situation, providing support for the country’s response to a health crisis new to it.