Rwanda: Rwanda declares end of Marburg virus outbreak | CPT PPP Coverage

Kigali, Rwanda – December 20, 2024 Rwanda on Friday announced the end of the Marburg virus disease outbreak, initially declared on Sept. 27 this year. The announcement, by Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana at a press conference in the capital Kigali on Friday, follows 42 consecutive days with no new cases after the discharge of the last confirmed patient, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. According to a statement by the Ministry of Health, the outbreak resulted in 66 confirmed cases, including 15 deaths and 51 recoveries. Brian Chirombo, the (WHO)representative to Rwanda, commended the country’s efforts in managing the epidemic. From the onset of the outbreak, Rwanda activated its pandemic response swiftly. A 24/7 command post was established to oversee all aspects of containment, including surveillance, testing, case management, vaccination, risk communication, and community engagement, according to the health ministry statement. This effort was strengthened by nearly 60 (WHO)experts — including 20 leading viral hemorrhagic fever specialists — who worked alongside local and regional professionals to bring the outbreak under control. According to the WHO, Rwanda’s response to the Marburg virus serves as a global benchmark for managing future viral outbreaks. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious pathogen with a fatality rate of up to 88 percent, causes hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms, including high fever and severe headache, typically appear within a week of exposure. It belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, according to the WHO. Shotlist: Kigali, Rwanda – Dec 20, 2024: 1. Building of Rwandan Ministry of Health; 2. Various of press conference in progress; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwandan Minister of Health: “So Marburg is over, according to (WHO)guidelines. It took us 42 days since the last patient tested negative and discharged from treatment center. We’ve been counting days. So last night, at midnight exactly, was the end of the 42nd day. Therefore, we declare Marburg over in Rwanda.”; 4. Attendees applauding; 5. Sign reading “Together, We defeated Marburg”; 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Chirombo, (WHO)Representative in Rwanda (starting with shot 5): “Today, we gather to mark a monumental triumph, the official declaration of the end of the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda. This is not just a milestone; it is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Rwandan people, to the strength of country leadership, the bravery of the healthcare workers, and the transformative power of collaboration and partnership.”; 7. Various of virus information display board; Rwanda – Recent 8. Doctor treating patient; 9. Woman having her body temperature checked; 10. Medical worker, residents waiting outside clinic; 11. Medical worker, patients in hospital; Kigali, Rwanda – Dec 20, 2024 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Chirombo, (WHO)Representative in Rwanda (starting with shots 9-11): “(WHO)also deployed 39 AVoHC-SURGE (African Volunteers Health Corps – Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies) experts from the governments of Uganda, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and this was the largest deployment of first responders ever.”; 13. Attendees; 14. Nsanzimana shaking hands with attendees. [Restriction – No access Chinese mainland]

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