The development was announced by Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana on December 20, at a press conference during which Rwanda declared the end of Marburg Virus Disease.
Rwanda announced the Marburg virus outbreak on September 27, 2024. Assessments linked the Marburg virus outbreak to Egyptian rousette bats in mining areas nearby Kigali City.
According to the Ministry of Health, investigations revealed that the initial transmission took place in August 2024. A man contracted the virus in the mine and subsequently transmitted it to his wife, who tragically passed away after being infected.
By the time the outbreak was declared over, the country had recorded 66 illnesses and 15 deaths.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted the importance of understanding bat movements, stating, "We will begin, in the coming weeks, to track and understand the migrations and movements of bats. [...] We aim to detect outbreaks before they reach our hospitals."
The government plans to focus on critical periods, especially in February and August, when bats are more likely to shed viruses.
Over 50 bat habitats have been identified, and warning signs are being placed to prevent human contact in high-risk areas.
While acknowledging the ecological role of bats, Nsanzimana emphasized the importance of creating safer environments to mitigate public health risks.
IGIHE
