Rwanda has initiated vaccine trials for the Marburg virus, according to health officials on Sunday.
During a press briefing, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana announced that the country received its first 700 doses of the vaccine from the U.S.-based Sabin Vaccine Institute. The initial rollout targets high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers and individuals who have been in contact with Marburg virus patients.
Nsanzimana reassured the public regarding vaccine safety, noting that it had been successfully tested in neighboring Uganda and Kenya. He also indicated that more doses are expected in the near future.
As of Saturday, 46 people had been confirmed to have contracted the virus, with 12 deaths reported.
In response to the outbreak, which began last month, Rwandan authorities have implemented several containment measures, including restrictions on visits to hospitalized patients and limits on gatherings, especially in cases of Marburg-related deaths.
Marburg virus disease is closely related to the Ebola virus, both causing severe hemorrhagic fevers with a high fatality rate, reaching up to 88%, according to the World Health Organization.
Symptoms of Marburg virus infection start suddenly, with high fever, intense headaches, and profound discomfort. Many patients develop severe hemorrhagic symptoms within a week.
The virus spreads to humans through contact with fruit bats and is transmitted among humans via direct contact with infected bodily fluids, surfaces, and contaminated materials.
