Groundbreaking study in Rwanda to unlock new insights into Marburg virus immunity

5 FEB, OSLO, KIGALI - A pioneering research study in Rwanda aims to uncover critical insights into how the human body responds to Marburg Virus infection, and guide the development of new tests, treatments and vaccines.

Led by Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the study will invite individuals who have recovered from Marburg virus infection, along with their close contacts, to participate in advancing understanding of the immune responses and how the virus operates and persists in the body.

Rwanda rapidly and effectively responded to its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak, which was officially declared over on 20 December 2024. During the outbreak, 66 people became infected, the majority being healthcare workers who had direct contact with infected patients. While the virus claimed 15 lives, Rwanda recorded one of the lowest case fatality rates for Marburg virus to date.

By participating in this study, recovered persons and their close contacts will contribute to vital research aimed at identifying key immune markers, including antibodies, B cells, and T cells, that could signal protection against future infections. Gaining information on these immune insights is an essential step to help advance the first-ever safe and effective Marburg vaccines and other countermeasures to licensure. The study findings can also help to improve clinical care for such a deadly disease.

The two-year research project, based in Kigali, is funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and conducted in collaboration with Rinda Ubuzima , a leading Rwandan clinical research centre.

“This partnership with CEPI marks a significant step in advancing our understanding of Marburg virus disease. The research will address critical scientific questions about how immunity develops in recovered people, providing key insights that can guide the development of vaccines, treatments, and improved clinical care. Rwanda remains committed to leveraging science and innovation to strengthen our health systems and ensure preparedness for future outbreaks,” said Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre.

“Rwanda’s robust and laudable response to the recent emergence of Marburg in the country—which should become a blueprint for future countries tackling deadly diseases—meant that the majority of those infected with the virus recovered, providing scientists with this unique and game-changing opportunity to uncover more about Marburg infection and then use this information to build the tools to tackle future outbreaks” explains Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI.

The new CEPI funding will also strengthen Rwanda’s research infrastructure, enhancing its capacity to conduct high-impact studies and respond more effectively to future infectious disease outbreaks.

Marburg virus is one of the deadliest pathogens known to infect people. Marburg virus infection results from prolonged exposure to infected bat colonies and can also spread via human-to-human transmission through bodily fluids. Symptoms include high fever, headache, malaise, muscle aches, diarrhoea and vomiting, which can be followed by haemmorhagic fever and possible death.

The Rwanda Marburg outbreak is the 18th outbreak recorded by the World Health Organization since the identification of the virus in 1967. In previous outbreaks, as many as 88 per cent of those infected have died.

CEPI and the RBC signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022 to improve and accelerate vaccine research, development, and manufacturing in Rwanda. CEPI and partners are also working with the Government of Rwanda to test the 100 Days Mission, a goal to shorten the time required to develop vaccines against new viral threats, through table-top exercises.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Up to 300 individuals, including Marburg outbreak recovered persons, close contacts and non-infected control participants, will be invited to enroll in the new study.
• Rwanda’s fast and effective response to the Marburg outbreak included mass contact tracing, mass testing and the launch of a Phase II trial to assess the Marburg vaccine candidate developed by Sabin Vaccine Institute. Rwanda has invested heavily in its healthcare system in recent years and has incorporated epidemic preparedness into its national health policies. 

About CEPI

CEPI was launched in 2017 as an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI has supported the development of more than 50 vaccine candidates or platform technologies against multiple known high-risk pathogens or a future Disease X. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating five-year plan for 2022-2026 is the ‘100 Days Mission’ to compress the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days. 

About RBC

RBC serves as the Rwanda National Public Health Institute, spearheading innovative health interventions to safeguard the nation from diseases and other health threats. In addition, RBC leads and coordinates national health research to generate knowledge and evidence essential for enhancing disease control programs. RBC promotes high quality, affordable, and sustainable health care services to the population through evidence-based interventions and practices guided by ethics and professionalism.