Marburg virus in Rwanda (Update 2)

The Ministry of Health in Rwanda reports continued transmission of Marburg virus disease. From the beginning of the outbreak on 27 September 2024 to 28 October 2024, there have been 65 confirmed cases, including 16 deaths.

The affected districts include Gasabo, Gatsibo, Kamonyi, Kicukiro, Nyagatare, Nyarugenge and Rubavu. Healthcare workers have been particularly affected.

Advice to travellers

Marburg virus disease is a type of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF). Humans may become infected from direct contact with the reservoir host, African fruit bats or from direct contact or droplet spread from infected humans or non-human primates.

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

• Travellers to known Marburg outbreak areas must be made 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.

Travellers returning from a Marburg outbreak area 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 they develop 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 individuals infected with a VHF.

People who are travelling to the affected areas to work in response to the outbreak are should seek risk assessment advice and training from their employer / organisation before travel. They should also be registered with the UKHSA Ebola and Marburg: returning workers scheme (RWS) before travel.

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