Rwanda has begun its vaccination campaign against the deadly Marburg virus, a haemorrhagic disease that has claimed 12 lives since the country confirmed its first-ever outbreak on September 27. Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, announced during a press briefing that approximately 700 doses of the vaccine arrived on Saturday night and that vaccinations commenced on Sunday, focusing on healthcare workers and frontline responders.
This initial batch of vaccines, supplied by the Sabin Vaccine Institute with support from the United States government, is being administered as part of a clinical trial. The trial aims to protect frontline workers who are most at risk of exposure to the virus. The Sabin Vaccine Institute confirmed that about 80% of the confirmed Marburg cases in Rwanda have been healthcare workers, highlighting the critical need for immediate protection.
Dr. Nsanzimana explained that the vaccination priority will be given to healthcare professionals, followed by individuals who have had direct contact with confirmed cases of the virus. The trial is being conducted in collaboration with Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) under a Phase 2 open-label study.
The Marburg virus, closely related to the Ebola virus, causes severe hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms that include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Since the outbreak began, 46 cases have been confirmed, with 29 patients currently in isolation receiving treatment. Health authorities are also closely monitoring over 400 individuals identified as contacts of confirmed cases.
Alongside the vaccines, additional medical support has come in the form of antiviral drugs. On October 3, Gilead Sciences, a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, donated 5,000 vials of remdesivir, an antiviral drug that has shown promise in treating Marburg virus patients. The Ministry of Health has already begun distributing remdesivir for emergency use in hospitals where infected patients are receiving care.
Rwanda’s swift response to the Marburg virus outbreak demonstrates the country’s preparedness and collaboration with international health agencies and pharmaceutical companies to curb the spread of the deadly virus. The Sabin Vaccine Institute, in a statement, emphasized that the vaccine doses were delivered within a week of the request, underscoring the urgent need for global cooperation in combating infectious diseases.
As the vaccination campaign continues, Rwandan authorities remain vigilant, hoping to contain the virus before it spreads further in the region.
