Genomic and transmission dynamics of the 2024 Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda
The ongoing outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda marks the third largest historically, although it has shown the lowest fatality rate. Genomic analysis of samples from 18 cases identified a lineage with limited internal diversity, closely related to a 2014 Ugandan case. Our findings suggest that the Rwandan lineage diverged decades ago from a common ancestor shared with diversity sampled from bats in Uganda. Our genomic data reveal limited genetic variation, consistent with a single zoonotic transmission event and limited human-to-human transmission. Investigations including contact tracing, clinical assessments, sequencing and serology, linked the index case to a mining cave inhabited by Rousettus aegyptiacus. Serology tests identified three individuals seropositive for immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M, further supporting the zoonotic origin of the outbreak through human-animal interactions.
Authors
- Agnes Gasengayire
- Jean Pierre Musabyimana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2126-7452)
- Valens Mbonitegeka
- Anise N. Happi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8959-5175)
- Raissa Muvunyi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2324-3254)
- Théogène Twagirumugabe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2412-6754)
- Clarisse Musanabaganwa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9006-8310)
- Eric Remera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6084-8877)
- Pierre Gashema (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9348-0936)
- Muhammed Semakula (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9076-4922)
- Alisen Ayitewala (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6173-4006)
- Arlene Uwituze
- Edouard Ntagwabira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9386-7329)
- David Turatsinze
- Espérance Umumararungu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3941-9939)
- Isabelle Mukagatare (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0474-4608)
- Jean Marie Uwimana
- Edson Rwagasore (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5002-0829)
- James Mugisha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2084-8693)
- Olusola Ogunsanya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0475-0338)
- Emmanuel Kabalisa
- Misbah Gashegu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5677-7097)
- Claude Mambo Muvunyi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4180-442X)
- Eric Seruyange (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3817-9838)
- Edyth Parker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8312-1446)
- Léon Mutesa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5308-3706)
- Yvan Butera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0648-2384)
- Senga Sembuche
- Noël Gahamanyi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7813-6440)
- Alice Kabanda
- Noella Bigirimana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6309-541X)
- Mosoka Fallah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8740-4072)
- Ayman Ahmed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9516-9508)
- Merawi Aragaw Tegegne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7571-8795)
- Reuben Sindayiheba
- Etienne Kayigi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9401-294X)
- Sofonias Kifle Tessema (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1825-204X)
- Menelas Nkeshimana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3573-8075)
- Sabin Nsanzimana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5946-0015)
- Alexis Rugamba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7692-9180)
- Jerome Ndayisenga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3149-1554)
- Christian Tientcha Happi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3056-6705)
- Gad Murenzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5513-5522)
- Jean Claude Semuto Ngabonziza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6075-5603)
- Alhaji Olono (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9940-1004)
- Faustin Kanyabwisha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1774-7739)
- Radjabu Bigirimana
- Placide Sesonga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7842-6149)
- Jean Paul Rwabihama (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7517-4991)
- Edward Francıs
- Nelson Gahima
- Laetitia Irankunda
- Chantal Mutezemariya
- Richard Niyonkuru
- Ithiel Uwizera
- James Kagame
- Arlette Umugwaneza
- John Rwabuhihi
- Fidele Umwanankabandi
- Gerard Izuwayo
- Herve Murenzi
- Therese Mukankwiro
- Nasson Tuyiringire
- Glory-Ugochi Onyeugo
- Lenny Gitundu
- Adaora Ejikeme
- Oluwatobi Adedokun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5012-8161)
Institutions
- Scripps Research Institute (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Redeemer's University (NG)
- University of Rwanda (RW)
- Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ET)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (RW)
- Rwanda Military Hospital (RW)
- Rwanda Biomedical Center (RW)
- University Teaching Hospital of Butare (RW)
- Ministry of Health (RW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Medicine
- Published
- 2024-12-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03459-9
- Citations
- 17
- Primary Topic
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.61
Funders
- Open Philanthropy Project
- Skoll Foundation
- Flu Lab
- ELMA Foundation
- Rwanda Biomedical Centre
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention