Rwanda has launched a targeted vaccination campaign against the deadly Marburg virus, which has claimed 12 lives since the outbreak was first declared on September 28.
With around 700 doses of a trial vaccine now in hand, the country is taking swift action to protect those most at risk, particularly healthcare workers who have borne the brunt of the outbreak.
Health Minister, Nsanzimana Sabin announced the vaccination initiative on Sunday, stating that the vaccines, provided by the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute, have undergone thorough testing and are now being administered to frontline workers.
“We will begin vaccinating doctors and others who have come into direct contact with Marburg patients,” he said, adding that Rwanda may secure additional doses if necessary.
The Marburg virus, which belongs to the same family as Ebola, is highly infectious and causes severe hemorrhagic fever.
With a fatality rate as high as 88%, the virus can lead to rapid organ failure and bleeding, making timely intervention crucial.
Rwanda’s vaccination campaign marks a critical step in curbing the spread of the disease, as the Sabin Institute’s experimental vaccine enters its second phase of trials.
The outbreak has seen 41 confirmed cases so far, with most fatalities being healthcare professionals. Rwanda’s government has ramped up its response by introducing preventive measures at key travel points, including temperature checks and health screenings for passengers.
Authorities are urging travellers to monitor themselves for symptoms like fever while reinforcing the importance of hand hygiene to prevent further transmission.
While there is no officially approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg yet, the experimental vaccine has shown promise in trials conducted in neighbouring Uganda and Kenya.
So far, no safety concerns have been raised, providing hope that Rwanda’s efforts to vaccinate those on the frontlines will help bring the outbreak under control.
