Rwanda is set to officially declare the end of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak on December 20, 2024. According to the scientific journal Nature, an outbreak is considered over if no new infections are reported for 42 consecutive days — equivalent to two incubation periods of the virus — after the last case is detected.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that no new infections have been recorded since October 31. As of December 18, it had been 47 days without a new case and 41 days since the last patient was discharged. The ministry’s previous update, which covered the period from November 29 to December 6, had already indicated 35 days without a new infection and 29 days since the last patient’s recovery.
Rwanda’s first-ever Marburg virus outbreak was confirmed on September 27, 2024. The disease claimed 15 lives, with no additional deaths reported since October 15. The outbreak marked a significant milestone, as Rwanda recorded the lowest fatality rate in the history of Marburg outbreaks. Only 22.7% of infected patients died, a stark contrast to the fatality rates of up to 88% seen in previous global outbreaks. The Ministry of Health also noted that Rwanda’s outbreak was the third largest recorded worldwide.
With the outbreak under control, Rwanda’s health authorities have been praised for their rapid response and effective containment measures, which played a key role in minimizing fatalities and curbing the spread of the disease.