DailySun
The African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has indicated that the current Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda is likely to conclude shortly.
As of 30 October, Rwanda has not recorded any new MVD-positive cases, with the last patient discharged on 8 November, as reported by the CDC during a press briefing. By November 29, Rwanda had confirmed a total of 66 cases and 15 deaths linked to the Marburg outbreak.
Ngashi Ngongo, a professor of epidemiology and the principal advisor to the director general at Africa CDC, mentioned that the critical 42-day countdown to officially declare the outbreak over is set to finish tomorrow.
“This success is largely attributable to the prompt and coordinated actions spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Africa CDC and various key partners,” Ngongo stated.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the “Marburg virus disease, previously known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever,” is defined as “a severe, often fatal illness in humans.”
The virus is initially transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads through direct human-to-human contact. Currently, there are no approved vaccines for MVD. Recent outbreaks have also emerged in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea, resulting in six and thirty-five additional fatalities, respectively, in 2023.
Ngongo emphasized the essential role of nationwide surveillance systems that facilitate early detection of cases, enhanced contact tracing, isolation of cases, and expansion of treatment facilities, which all contributed to managing the outbreak.
“It’s important to highlight that because of these interventions, especially the high standards of care in treatment facilities, Rwanda achieved one of the lowest case fatality rates (sic) at 22.7%, considerably lower than those seen in prior outbreaks,” Ngongo observed.
Moreover, extensive awareness campaigns designed to educate the public on preventive measures were launched as part of the initiative to curb the virus’s spread.
Concerns regarding mpox and unidentified febrile illness
At the same time, the ongoing threats posed by other illnesses remain a concern for both African and global countries, according to Africa CDC.
This includes mpox (previously known as monkeypox), which is currently experiencing a rise, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
The WHO defines mpox as a viral disease that “primarily spreads through close contact with an infected person, resulting in painful rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and fever,” which can lead to scarring and further illness. The disease can also be transmitted from animals to humans.
Typically, the transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, mucosal lesions, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.
Since 2022, mpox has impacted the globe, affecting additional countries.
As of now, 53,109 mpox cases have been reported in the DRC, with approximately 1,251 associated deaths. This week alone saw reports of 2,632 new cases, an increase from 2,549 the week prior.
Advancements in mpox vaccination efforts
Nonetheless, Ngongo, who also serves as the continental incident manager for Mpox at Africa CDC, noted the progress in vaccination efforts against mpox. Africa CDC has pledged to distribute 10 million mpox vaccine doses by the end of 2025.
Updates indicated that the vaccination for the second dose in the DRC commenced on 28th November 2024, with 11,000 individuals vaccinated in Tshopo, Sankuru, and Sud Kivu by 19 December.
The Japanese government is set to supply 50,000 vaccine doses to Kinshasa this week, and Japanese experts are currently engaging with DRC officials regarding vaccine deployment and logistical challenges, especially in remote areas.
A Continental mpox Response Intra-Action Review (IAR) was held by Africa CDC and the WHO in Addis Ababa, concluding on Wednesday. Participating nations included Burundi, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Kenya, Liberia, Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The action plan aimed to strengthen resource mobilization, enhance data management systems, and fast-track vaccination efforts while providing support to the most affected countries.
