From Outbreak to Containment: Marburg Virus

On November 8, 2024 the Pandemic Center hosted a webinar titled From Outbreak to Containment: Marburg Virus.
On September 27, 2024, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, linked to a 27-year-old man exposed to bats in a mining cave. Per Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, as of October 31, Rwanda’s outbreak has reached a total of 66 cases and 15 fatalities, with two patients currently in treatment.
This outbreak has been met with an international response, and the WHO has praised Rwanda’s strong response to the outbreak through early management with antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and supportive care. Rwanda faces a low 24% Marburg fatality rate, which usually has a fatality rate of 88%. The lowered fatality rate can be attributed to Rwanda’s swift acting high level leadership and critical care infrastructure.
To discuss the current Marburg virus situation, this event convened a panel of experts. It was hosted by Dr. Wilmot James, Senior Adviser to the Brown Pandemic Center and Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. The panel included:
-- Dr. Jeanine U. Condo, Adjunct Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Rwanda & Tulane University, and Chief Executive Officer at CIIC-HIN
-- Dr. Issa Makumbi, Deputy Director, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Director of Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC)
-- Dr. Craig Spencer, Associate Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at Brown University School of Public Health.
This webinar is part of the Pandemics & Society series, which focuses on current pandemic threats and response systems as well as how to build preparedness for the future.