The first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Rwanda was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 28 September 2024.

[5] The virus was first discovered in 1967 after outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, which had been linked to lab work involving African green monkeys from Uganda.

[5] Marburg virus can be transmitted to humans from fruit bats, and spreads through human-to-human contact, typically via bodily fluids and contaminated medical equipment.

[11][12][13] The index case for the outbreak is believed to be a 27-year-old man who was being treated at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali after being exposed to the virus from contact with bats.

[14] On 28 September 2024, the World Health Organization was informed of a first ever Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda.

[28][29][30] The Centers for Disease Control issued a travel alert,[31] which was criticised as "unnecessary" and made without input from local authorities by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention director-general Jean Kaseya, citing the Rwandan government's rapid response to the outbreak.

[33] On 6 October 2024, Rwandan health minister Sabin Nsanzimana confirmed that the country had received about 700 vaccine doses to be used in trial, which will be distributed on a priority basis starting with healthcare workers, the frontline response team and individuals who were in contact with the confirmed cases.