The Marburg Virus Disease outbreak was declared as being over by Rwanda's government on Friday, the World Health Organisation reported.
Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is clinically similar to Ebola disease. It can be transmitted via direct contact with fluids from a contaminated person. Initial infections are usually caused by close contact with Rousettus bats, a type of fruit bat often found around caves or mines.
The viral outbreak was confirmed and declared on 27 September by the Rwandan Ministry of Health. As of 19 December, there were 66 confirmed cases, with 15 deaths and 51 recovered cases.
The government took the decision as no new cases were reported within the 42 days since the last patient twice tested negative for the virus. This follows the usual protocol for declaring the end of outbreaks of these types of diseases, the WHO noted in a press release.
In early October, Belgian health authorities urged the public to remain vigilant for signs of the disease, although the risk to the general population in Belgium was classified as low. Last month, Belgium sent medical equipment to Rwanda to strengthen the response to the outbreak.
The WHO warns that there is still a risk of MVD re-emerging in the area. This is due to the viral persistence in recovered patients as well as animals. The health organisation encourages measures to reduce the risk of MVD transmissions.
