Rwanda - The ongoing battle against the Marburg virus outbreak has yielded positive results in recent weeks. According to the latest data from the country's minister of health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, new infections have reduced by 50% in the third week compared to the first two weeks. A significant milestone was reached in the third week, with zero new cases reported. This marked a turning point in the outbreak, offering hope for a potential end to the health crisis. Moreover, the mortality rate has dropped to zero, reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing treatment efforts. Treatment centers across Rwanda have been instrumental in combating the virus, with recovery rates significantly outnumbering fatalities.
What is New?
Summing it all, approximately 62 cases of the Marburg virus have been recorded to date. Of these, 38 individuals have recovered, 15 deaths have been reported, and 9 cases remain under treatment, with the majority showing significant improvement. The current fatality rate for Marburg in Rwanda stands at 24%. Since the outbreak began, 856 vaccinations have been administered, and an additional shipment of approximately 1,000 doses is expected soon.
The working Strategy
Several strategies have been implemented to combat the Marburg virus outbreak. Close contacts of confirmed cases receive vaccinations, which have significantly helped containment efforts. The introduction of new therapeutics has shown positive results. Massive testing has been conducted, with approximately 4,000 tests carried out so far, averaging 200 to 300 daily tests, ensuring no symptomatic cases are missed. There has been increased collaboration between the Africa Center for Disease Control (Africa CDC), Rwanda Biomedical Centers, and the support of the European CDC (ECDC). Preparations are also underway to enhance the screening of travelers at airports and borders and to increase contact tracing efforts.
Meanwhile, Mpox is becoming a nightmare to Africa
The global outbreak of Mpox, also known as Monkeypox, has been a significant public health concern since early 2023. Mpox is related to smallpox but causes less severe symptoms like fever, chills, and body aches. In more serious cases, people may develop rashes or sores on their face, hands, chest, and genitals.
As of October 17, 2024, the Africa CDC has reported a total of 42,438 cases in Africa, including 8,113 confirmed cases and over 1000 deaths. This represents a substantial increase from the previous year, with a nearly 380% rise in confirmed cases between 2023 and 2024.
“Our goal is to prevent it from spreading to all African countries. We are still battling this outbreak,” bemoaned H.E Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of Africa-CDC
Regional Distribution
The Central African region has been disproportionately affected by the Mpox outbreak, accounting for 86.4% of all reported cases and 99.5% of reported deaths. This region has emerged as the epicenter of the disease, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and public health measures. The Northern Africa Region has so far recorded the least cases and no deaths.
New Mpox cases have been confirmed in some African countries in recent weeks. Zambia reported its first Mpox case on October 8, 2024, involving a Tanzanian truck driver. Just a few days later, on October 12, Zimbabwe declared a Mpox outbreak with two cases linked to travel history in Tanzania and South Africa. Meanwhile, Uganda has seen new outbreaks in two prisons, notably with cases having no travel history outside the country.
In Kenya, the first Mpox-related death was recorded, involving a 46-year-old male truck driver. Ghana, not far behind, notified its second confirmed case through a household contact of the initial case. The spread of Mpox in these regions highlights a concerning trend, with varied points of origin and transmission within different communities. This calls for increased vigilance and coordinated efforts to contain the virus.
Conclusion
Africa is battling both Marburg virus and Mpox epidemics. Marburg cases have recently declined with zero mortality rates, thanks to extensive efforts like vaccinations and international collaborations. However, Mpox cases have surged, especially in Central Africa, highlighting the need for urgent public health measures and international support. With new cases appearing in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana, coordinated efforts are essential. Addressing these challenges requires immediate and long-term strategies, and while the fight continues, collaborative efforts offer hope for a more resilient future. The Africa CDC has however outlined plans to combat the epidemics by enhancing surveillance, increasing vaccinations, implementing robust public health measures, and fostering international collaborations to effectively manage and contain the outbreaks.
Story by Simon Nyarko