****

Rwanda has made significant strides in combating its first Marburg virus outbreak, achieving one of the lowest fatality rates ever recorded for the deadly disease. Just over a month ago, the Marburg virus threatened Rwanda, with officials announcing a daunting scenario. Today, however, Dr. Yvan Butera, Rwanda's Minister of State for Health, proudly announced an impressive reduction in deaths with a case fatality rate of 22.7%.

Remarkable recoveries underline Rwanda's progress. Two patients who experienced multiple organ failure and required life support have both been extubated and successfully recovered from the virus. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked that this marks the first such recovery event in Africa, highlighting the improved healthcare measures.

Despite the absence of approved vaccines or medications, Rwanda's response has been robust. Key measures, including the establishment of specialized Marburg treatment centers, rigorous surveillance, and rapid diagnostic testing, have contributed significantly to controlling the outbreak. Dr. Craig Spencer of Brown University acknowledged the high quality of Rwanda's healthcare system, which facilitated swift contact tracing and care.

Rwanda's fight against Marburg also included the use of experimental vaccines and treatments. The Sabin Vaccine Institute supplied investigational vaccines, which were administered to frontline healthcare workers within a week of the outbreak's identification. Although these vaccines and the additional use of drugs like Remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies are still unapproved for Marburg, they were quickly deployed to combat the virus.

Historical context and enhanced infection control measures have played crucial roles. Past Marburg outbreaks, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo's 1998-2000 crisis, suffered from rudimentary healthcare conditions, leading to high mortality rates. Contrarily, Rwanda's modern facilities and well-trained medical staff have made a substantial difference.

While the situation remains under close watch, with only four new cases reported in the last two weeks, Rwanda's decisive action has positioned it as a model for epidemic responses. The nation's rapid mobilization of resources and robust healthcare infrastructure have not only curtailed the outbreak domestically but also shielded the global community from a potentially larger crisis.