Rwandan health authorities have initiated a vaccine study targeting the Marburg virus, following an outbreak that has claimed 12 lives. The East African nation received 700 experimental vaccine doses from the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute. The Health Ministry aims to immunize health workers, first responders, and contacts of confirmed cases. However, no approved vaccine or treatment exists yet for the disease, known to be deadly in up to 88% of untreated cases.
Marburg virus, akin to Ebola, is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads via bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Rwanda's outbreak, declared on September 27, has seen 46 confirmed cases, with nearly 400 contacts identified. Eleven of the country's 30 districts, including those bordering Congo and other nations, are affected. Officials encourage measures like avoiding physical contact and suspending school and hospital visits to curb the spread.
The Sabin Vaccine Institute announced its collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre to provide investigational doses. With 29 patients in isolation, the Rwandan government enforces strict protocols, even limiting funeral attendance to prevent further transmission. Historical Marburg cases have occurred in several African countries, with the virus first identified in 1967 after outbreaks in laboratories in Germany and Serbia. The US Embassy in Kigali has urged its staff to work remotely. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)