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

  • The Republic of Rwanda has been experiencing an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (Marburg).
  • Local health authorities in Rwanda are continuing to monitor for illnesses and conduct investigations as needed, maintain enhanced surveillance, and educate communities and the public about the risks and dangers of Marburg.
  • The last known patient with Marburg was discharged from the hospital with a negative test on November 8, 2024. The World Health Organization announced that, on November 9, 2024, Rwanda started the 42-day countdown to declare the end of the outbreak.
  • 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 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 contact with fruit bats or entering the caves and mines where they live.
    • Avoid contact with 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 occur 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

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 occur later in the illness.

There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg.