Rwanda has successfully contained its Marburg virus outbreak, declared over today after 42 days since the last recorded case. The swift response is attributed to decades of investment in a resilient health system, which allowed for swift testing, contact tracing, and quarantine measures.
In contrast to the chaotic response seen during Covid-19, Rwanda’s handling of the Marburg outbreak stands out. Within 24 hours of the outbreak’s declaration, widely available testing was made available to healthcare workers. Personal exposure resulted in quick access to testing, even without symptoms.
The country’s successful containment was facilitated by international collaboration and investment. The World Health Organization (WHO), Africa CDC, and other global health organizations provided technical support without imposing burdensome restrictions, encouraging transparency from countries facing emerging health threats.
Rwanda’s experience highlights the importance of sustained domestic investment and international support in building robust public health systems. Countries with vulnerable health systems need to invest in personnel, early diagnostics, and equitable access to personal protective resources to prevent outbreaks before they become global crises.
The successful containment of the Marburg outbreak serves as a valuable blueprint for effective outbreak response. This model can be adapted to future outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of supporting resilient health systems abroad to protect everyone worldwide.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/supporting-resilient-health-systems-abroad-protects-us-all