Research on Marburg outbreak in Rwanda to shed light on virus immunity

Oslo/Kigali, 5 February 2025—Persons who recovered from the deadly Marburg outbreak that recently struck Rwanda will take part in new research that could help unlock clues about the body’s response to the virus and guide the development of new tests, treatments and vaccines.

Rwandans who recently recovered from Marburg infection and their close contacts will be recruited into the pioneering study, led by Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), to advance understanding on the immune responses in survivors and how the virus operates and persists in the body. 

Rwanda rapidly and effectively responded to its first-ever outbreak of the highly contagious disease, declared over on December 20th. During the outbreak, 66 people became infected with the virus, the majority being healthcare workers who came into contact with infected patients. Fifteen of those infected died. 

By donating their blood samples, recovered persons of the outbreak can help researchers identify the levels of antibodies, B cells, T cells and other immune responses and markers that correspond with protection. 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 will run in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali with funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and running in collaboration with the Rwandan clinical research centre, Rinda Ubuzima. 

“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. “While there is still more to do to understand Marburg and be ready for future outbreaks, we remain indebted to the survivors participating in this research through helping to protect others from this unsettling virus.”

The new CEPI funding will also be used to purchase laboratory materials, such as freezers, to safely store the biological samples donated by recovered persons. Investment in such laboratory infrastructure helps to enhance Rwanda’s research capacity and provide resources that could be used to respond to future infectious disease outbreaks. 

Closely related to Ebola, 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 droplets of blood, saliva, mucus and other 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 Rwandan Government to test the 100 Days Mission, a goal to shorten the time required to develop vaccines against new viral threats, through table-top exercises. 

Both CEPI and the RBC are committed to equitable access. Project results related to any preclinical and clinical trial data, biological samples and standards generated through this research project will be made available in open-access publications.

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.