By Joyce Ojanji
The Gilead Sciences, an international biopharmaceutical company, in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, has donated 5,100 vials of remdesivir to support the country’s response to the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).
Since the outbreak was declared in Rwanda on 27 September, there are 58 confirmed cases and 13 deaths. Scientists expect the outbreak to be curtailed quickly — but they warn that, overall, the disease is on the rise.
While there is no approved cure for MVD, remdesivir is being supplied for emergency use as a global vaccine and therapeutic trials, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), are underway.
According to Anu Osinusi, Vice President of Clinical Research for Hepatitis, Respiratory and Emerging Viruses, Gilead Sciences, the recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda is one of the largest in history and while the country has built a strong public health system, filoviruses like Marburg can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
“With Gilead’s broad experience in virology, we are committed to helping support the response to this outbreak as efficiently as possible. Our immediate focus is working closely with government and health authorities to provide access in Rwanda to remdesivir for emergency use,” he added.
According to the Director General, Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, the donation by Gilead Sciences is a testament to the power of global collaboration in public health. Africa CDC’s role in facilitating this support underlines its commitment to ensuring that African Union (AU) Member States have access to the best available treatments in times of crisis.
“The partnership with Gilead Sciences and Africa CDC is crucial to our efforts in managing the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak. The donation of antiviral therapeutics, such as Remdesivir, will greatly support our response by providing a treatment option for the cases we are currently handling. We are grateful for the international collaboration that is helping Rwanda respond swiftly and effectively to this public health emergency,”’ Minister of Health, Rwanda, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana added.
According to experts, before the 2020s, outbreaks were detected at most a few times each decade; they now occur roughly once a year. The origins of the events are not entirely clear. But researchers say that environmental threats, such as climate change and deforestation, have made people more likely to encounter animals that can pass on infections.
Early Marburg symptoms — high fever, headache and malaise — are similar to those of many other diseases. But people with Marburg soon develop severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The worst afflicted bleed from their noses, gums or other areas.
Marburg outbreaks usually start after a person encounters an infected fruit bat — an animal that can carry the virus without getting sick. Because of forces such as climate change and deforestation, “boundaries between the wildlife and the humans are breaking down”, creating ever more frequent opportunities for pathogens to jump to people.
The death rate from Marburg has ranged from 23% to roughly 90% in past outbreaks. There are no vaccines or treatments, but supportive care increases a person’s odds of survival.
Additionally, WHO is seeking US$ 7.7 million from October to December 2024 to support the Government of Rwanda in controlling the MVD outbreak. This funding will enable WHO to carry out critical activities outlined in its strategic response plan, focusing on surveillance, infection prevention, community engagement, and cross-border collaboration.
The funds will be allocated across WHO headquarters, regional, and country offices to coordinate the response, provide technical support, manage operations, and supply essential medical resources.
