STORY: Rwanda sees promising progress in Marburg response as recovery rates improve
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 20, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 22, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:27
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the press conference
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SABIN NSANZIMANA, Rwandan Minister of Health
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, WHO Director-General

STORYLINE:

Rwandan Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana said on Sunday that there have been no new infections of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the country for the past five days, indicating significant progress in the fight against the deadly virus.

Nsanzimana provided this update during a press conference in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, as the country continues its efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SABIN NSANZIMANA, Rwandan Minister of Health
"We still have 3 patients who are not yet out of this treatment center. Hopefully, some already have some good signs that they may get out of this treatment center soon, testing twice within a 72-hour period. Unfortunately, we've lost 15 people, mostly healthcare workers since the beginning of this outbreak. And also recoveries, 44 are already back home, and they are still being followed, but the good news is that they don't have the virus and their general status is also improving. Seeing that two patients who have been on intubation for more than ten days have been extubated is the greatest, the best news you can expect in any treatment center, in any hospital. When someone has been in intubation for a very long time, being extubated and doing well, it was a great celebration that these two people are going also to get out of this virus and go back to work."

Nsanzimana added that this marks the first time patients with Marburg have been extubated in Africa, highlighting the potential for recovery even after contracting the virus.

He emphasized Rwanda's proactive measures to address the MVD threat, including vaccination of healthcare workers and first responders, enhanced public health protocols, and the necessity for public vigilance.

He reiterated Rwanda's cooperation with international health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), to strengthen surveillance and response systems, ensuring preparedness to effectively manage any potential cases.

Speaking at the press conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, highlighted the importance of rapid response and international collaboration in addressing the Marburg virus disease outbreak.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, WHO Director-General
"We believe this is the first time patients with the Marburg virus have been extubated in Africa. These patients would have died in previous outbreaks. This reflects the work Rwanda has done over many years to strengthen its health system to develop capacities for critical care and life support that can be deployed both in regular hospital care and in emergencies."

Ghebreyesus also stressed the need for strong surveillance systems, vaccination of healthcare workers, and public awareness to reduce the risk of transmission.

He reiterated the WHO's commitment to supporting affected countries in managing and controlling the outbreak effectively.

MVD, a highly virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever, has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent and is caused by a virus from the same family as Ebola, according to the WHO. Symptoms typically appear within seven days of infection and include high fever, severe headaches, and malaise.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)