Marburg virus in Rwanda

01 Oct 2024

The World Health Organization reported an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda on 27 September 2024. This is the first time Marburg virus has been seen in Rwanda.

According to the Ministry of Health, there are currently 26 confirmed cases, including 8 deaths. Cases have been reported from Gasabo, Gatsibo, Kamonyi, Kicukiro, Nyagatare, Nyarugenge and Rubavu districts although most of those who died were healthcare workers in Kigali.

Advice for Travellers

Marburg virus disease is a type of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF), similar to Ebola. The virus is found in African fruit bats and can be passed to people when they have contact with these bats, or the caves/mines in which they live. People can also be infected from contact with people, or monkeys or apes with Marburg virus disease.

The risk to travellers becoming infected or developing Marburg virus disease is extremely low.

• If you are travelling to a known Marburg outbreak area, you must be aware of the risk of infection and transmission routes of Marburg virus.
• Medical personnel travelling to work in an outbreak region must follow strict infection prevention control guidance.

If you return home from a Marburg outbreak area, you should seek rapid medical attention by contacting NHS 24 (Scotland) or NHS 111 (rest of UK) for advice prior to attending UK medical facilities if you develop a high temperature (fever) and have:

• returned to the UK within 21 days from a region or area with a known outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
• had contact with people infected with a VHF

For further information, see the fitfortravel Viral Haemorrhagic Fever page.