What to know
- The Republic of Rwanda has confirmed more than 60 cases of Marburg virus disease (Marburg) associated with hospitals in Kigali, including some deaths. This is the country's first Marburg outbreak.
- Marburg is a rare but severe viral hemorrhagic fever, similar to Ebola, that can cause serious illness and death.
- Currently, no cases of Marburg related to this outbreak have been reported outside of Rwanda.
- The risk of infection with this virus in the United States is low.
Current situation
In Rwanda
- On Sept. 27, 2024, the Rwanda Ministry of Health reported cases of Marburg in the country, including cases among healthcare workers. Illnesses have been associated with hospitals in Kigali.
- As of October 30, 2024, Rwanda has recorded 66 illnesses and 15 deaths from Marburg. CDC is working with international partners to obtain the latest case counts and will update this page every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The Rwanda Ministry of Health maintains a webpage with case counts for this outbreak.A
- Approximately 75 percent of patients with Marburg have recovered. Contact tracing and testing efforts continue. In addition, trials with an investigational vaccine are underway in Rwanda via the Ministry of Health, with a focus on healthcare workers.
- Most of the people infected are health workers, particularly those who work in intensive care units. CDC continues to work closely with in-country partners to help enhance infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.
In countries neighboring Rwanda
- To date, there have been no reported cases of Marburg outside of Rwanda.
In the United States
- To date, there have been no reported cases of Marburg in the United States.
- As of October 21, 2024, the risk to the United States from the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda is low.
What CDC is doing
- CDC has had a presence in Rwanda since 2002, when CDC established an office there. CDC is providing technical support to the Rwanda Ministry of Health during the Marburg outbreak, while continuing to address other global public health priorities.
- CDC has deployed several scientists to assist Rwanda with its investigation and response to Marburg. CDC staff are applying their experience from responding to outbreaks of Marburg and similar diseases in other countries to help track patients, follow-up with patients' contacts, and support laboratory testing, disease detection and control along borders, and hospital infection prevention and control.
- CDC is raising awareness of the outbreak with healthcare providers, including the latest guidance for them to be aware of the potential for imported cases and what to do if a patient is suspected of having Marburg.
- CDC has information and recommendations for members of the public, including people living in Rwanda.
- In Rwanda and across the region, CDC continues to engage with its domestic and international public health partners and with other U.S. government agencies to support Rwanda's response, share information, and ensure partner countries are ready to respond if Marburg spreads across international borders.
CDC and its partners across Africa work together to monitor disease, ensure local laboratories can test for various diseases, train local laboratory and public health staff, investigate illnesses, and advise on treatment practices and how health workers can protect themselves while treating patients.
- The website with the latest Marburg Virus Information and case counts is maintained by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). Linking to this webpage does not constitute a direct or indirect endorsement of the information published on the broader RBC website.