An outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda, which began in late September, has caused 61 cases, with 14 deaths as of 11 October 2024.  Most deaths have been among healthcare workers.

As of 14 October travelers who have been in Rwanda in the prior 21 days and are returning to the U.S. will be rerouted for screening to one of three airports: Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, and the Washington, DC Dulles International Airport.

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly contagious disease which can cause hemorrhagic fever. Both Marburg and Ebola viruses are closely-related filoviruses.

People can become infected with MVD when they come in contact with Rousettus bats, a type of fruit bat, which can harbor Marburg virus. These bats often live in mines and caves, hence spelunkers are at elevated risk. MVD then spreads between people via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) via blood or other secretions, or bedding or clothing contaminated with these secretions.

Incubation period: 2-21 days. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, malaise, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Not all people infected with Marburg have hemorrhagic signs.

In the current outbreak, an experimental Marburg vaccine from the Sabin Vaccine institute is being utilized; to date over 500 people at high risk have been immunized.

Rwanda is a small (about the size of the U.S. state of Maryland) densely populated (pop. 13.6 million) nation in East Africa.  Rwanda is one of the poorest nations in the world, with a GDP per capita of $966 USD in 2022.  The bulk of the economy is based on subsistence agriculture.

Risk to tourists to Rwanda is low.  The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory: Reconsider Travel, for Rwanda, due to the outbreak of Marburg.

References

BBC, Africa health chief criticises US Marburg travel advice, 11 Oct. 2024

CBS News. CDC to screen travelers for Marburg, as outbreak of Ebola-like disease grows

7 Oct. 2024

ProMED-mail 11 Oct. 2024: MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE – RWANDA (06): UPDATE

U.S. Dept. of State, Travel Advisory, Rwanda, 7 Oct. 2024