Marburg in Rwanda

Level 4 - Avoid All Travel
Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel
Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions
Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

Key points

  • Reconsider nonessential travel to the Republic of Rwanda, which is experiencing an outbreak of Marburg virus disease.
  • CDC is making this recommendation for all of Rwanda because confirmed infections have been reported in several districts (see map) and numbers of infections have increased.
  • Local health authorities in Rwanda are working to identify illnesses and conduct investigations, strengthen surveillance, identify sources of transmission, and educate communities and the public about the risks and dangers of Marburg.
  • If you must travel to Rwanda, you should:
    • Consider getting travel insurance before you travel, including health and medical evacuation insurance, to cover yourself in case delays, injuries, or illnesses occur on your trip.
    • Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
    • Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
    • Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the outbreak area for nonurgent medical care or for nonmedical reasons.
    • Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, participating in funeral or burial rituals, or attending a funeral or burial. 
    • Avoid visiting traditional healers.
    • Avoid contact with fruit bats or entering the caves and mines where they live.
    • Avoid nonhuman primates (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas).
    • Review Health Information for Travelers to Rwanda for information on routine precautions travelers should take when traveling to Rwanda.
  • Watch your health for symptoms of Marburg while in Rwanda and for 21 days after leaving.
    • Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately if you develop fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Bleeding or bruising (not caused by an injury) can appear later in the illness.
    • If you are in the United States, follow the recommendations for after travel.
    • If you are located in another country, contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice. Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility prepare for your arrival, including contacting health authorities and taking any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients. 

Traveler Information

Clinician Information

Districts involved in the Marburg outbreak, by province. Est (Eastern): Gatsibo, Nyagatare; Kigali City: Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge; Oueste (Western): Rubavu; Sud (Southern): Huye, Kamonyi
Map: Districts involved in the Marburg outbreak, by province (see larger map)
What is Marburg?

Marburg virus disease (Marburg) is a rare and deadly disease that has, at times, caused outbreaks in several African countries. The disease is named after the city in Germany where it was first reported in 1967.

Marburg is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of a person infected with or who has died from Marburg. It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects (such as clothing, bedding, needles, and medical equipment) or by contact with animals, such as fruit bats and nonhuman primates, who are infected with Marburg virus.

Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Bleeding or bruising (not caused by an injury) can appear later in the illness.

There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg.