On Friday, the World Health Organization officially declared the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda over.
The outbreak, which was first confirmed on September 27, resulted in 66 recorded cases and 15 deaths, with health workers being the most affected.
It has been several weeks since the last reported case. The WHO officially declares an outbreak over once 42 days have passed since the last patient’s second negative test.
Marburg is a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever transmitted by fruit bats and is part of the same virus family as Ebola. Its fatality rate has previously been as high as 88%, but this latest outbreak was less deadly.
Rwanda received praise for its swift and comprehensive response, which included extensive testing, contact tracing, and a public awareness campaign.
“The robust response by Rwanda demonstrates how committed leadership, collaborative efforts from partners, and a strong health system are vital in addressing public health emergencies,” said Dr. Brian Chirombo, WHO Representative in Rwanda, in a statement.