Rwanda’s effort to combat a Marburg outbreak highlights the need for global cooperation and robust health systems to manage health threats that cross from animals to humans.
In the Gamico Mine’s Tunnel 12, thousands of Egyptian fruit bats dwell. These seemingly harmless bats played a key role in a recent Marburg Virus outbreak that wreaked havoc in Rwanda. One miner was infected, leading to a significant disruption in the economy.
Dr. Edson Rwagasore, a public health expert at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, noted, “There are about 10,000 bats roosting in the tunnel.” The miner contracted the virus through contact with contaminated bat droppings.
The miner was initially misdiagnosed with malaria. Once the correct diagnosis was made, the government acted quickly. “We focused on preventing further bat-to-human infections,” said Rwagasore. This included measures such as creating a physical barrier and conducting regular tests of the bats.
A locked door now separates the bats from people, and a fenced-off exit allows bats to leave without risking human contact. Rwagasore recalls, “When we unlock it, the bats squawk and fly away.”
Scientists have attached GPS trackers to some bats, allowing them to monitor their movement. Weekly tests check the bats for the virus, which they shed seasonally—mainly in the early months of the year and during late summer.
Rwanda’s health authorities have also identified other high-risk mining sites and implemented similar prevention measures. Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana has called their strategies a chance to bolster their health response capabilities.
Although the initial patient survived, the outbreak took a toll. Of the 66 confirmed cases, 15 individuals died—a fatality rate of 22.7%, which is notably low for such outbreaks.
This response involved global collaboration. Experts from various international organizations helped identify the outbreak and control its spread. The US Sabine Vaccine Institute provided investigational vaccines, contributing to the effective management of the situation.
Adopting the One Health approach—considering the health of people, animals, and the environment—was crucial. Rwagasore emphasized, “Working together with various health sectors made a difference.”
Despite the successful containment in Rwanda, many African nations hesitate to fully embrace the One Health model, especially under the pandemic agreement being discussed in Geneva. Some fear the financial implications and potential sanctions that might arise from non-compliance.
Recent discussions among African leaders led to the approval of an African Epidemics Fund to support outbreak responses, indicating a shift towards more self-sufficient regional health initiatives.
In summary, the combined efforts of local health workers, international partners, and community engagement have shown that a strong healthcare system backed by global support can effectively manage health threats like the Marburg virus. This is a pivotal lesson for other countries facing similar challenges.
