Update December 20, 2024: Rwanda Marburg Outbreak Declared Over

The government of Rwanda declared the end of the Marburg virus outbreak after 42 days with no new cases since the last patient was discharged from the hospital. The outbreak, initially confirmed on September 27, 2024, marked the first one experienced in Rwanda. A total of 66 confirmed cases and 15 deaths were recorded. Almost 80% of the cases were among health workers who were infected while providing clinical care to their colleagues and other patients. As part of the outbreak response, Rwanda deployed an investigational Marburg vaccine from the Sabin Vaccine Institute to immunize health workers at the same time as a clinical trial. Rwandan scientists launched the world’s first clinical trials for Marburg treatments in conjunction with partners from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Previous Updates:

On September 27, 2024, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Rwanda reported cases of Marburg Virus Disease (Marburg), a rare, severe viral hemorrhagic fever, in health facilities in the country. These are the first known cases of Marburg in Rwanda. In response to this outbreak and out of an abundance of caution, starting in mid-October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will plan to begin implementing public health entry screening at certain U.S. airports for people coming from the Republic of Rwanda.

Airports will likely include Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), and Washington D.C. (IAD). Public health entry screening is part of a layered approach that, when used with other public health measures already in place to detect ill arriving travelers, can slow and reduce the spread of disease into the United States. The risk of Marburg virus in the U.S. remains low.

U.S. Preparedness and Travel

• CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory to U.S. health departments and clinicians to make them aware of the outbreak and to provide advice should they receive a patient with Marburg symptoms and recent travel history to the outbreak area.
• On September 30, CDC issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Rwanda, which includes recommendations for people traveling to Rwanda to practice enhanced precautions.
• On October 3, CDC issued interim recommendations for public health management of U.S.-based healthcare personnel who were present in a healthcare facility in Rwanda during the previous 21 days and are returning home.
• On October 7, CDC issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Rwanda, which includes recommendations for people travel to Rwanda to Reconsider Nonessential Travel.
  
• Starting the week of October 7, CDC will have health messages posted at the international arrival areas in three airports receiving travelers from Rwanda.
  
• Additionally, CDC is using an automated system to send general Marburg health text messages to international air travelers arriving from Rwanda. Text messaging allows CDC to provide relevant and timely public health information and instructions directly to travelers and further facilitates future communication between travelers and public health officials.
• Starting the week of October 14, CDC will begin public health entry screening of travelers entering the United States who have been in Rwanda in the past 21 days. This screening aims to reduce the risk of importation of Marburg cases into the United States and the spread within U.S. communities.

For clinicians and health departments:

• Health Alert Notice: Health Alert Network (HAN) - 00517 | First Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in the Republic of Rwanda
• Interim Recommendations for Public Health Management of U.S.-based Healthcare Personnel Returning from Rwanda: Marburg Virus Disease: Interim Recommendations for Public Health Management of U.S.-based Healthcare Personnel Returning from Rwanda
• Public Health Management of People with Suspected or Confirmed Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers or High-Risk Exposures: Public Health Management of People with Suspected or Confirmed VHF or High-Risk Exposures

Additional Information and Resources

• Click here for the WHO’s fact sheet on Marburg
• Click here for CDC’s Marburg Outbreak in Rwanda Situation Summary
• Click here for CDC fact sheets on Marburg
• Click here to read a statement from NSC Spokesperson Sean Savett on Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak.
• Click here for a fact sheet on HHS Actions to Support Response to Marburg Outbreak in Rwanda