Rwanda has initiated a vaccination campaign against the Marburg virus, aiming to curb a recent outbreak that has claimed the lives of 12 people, Al Jazeera reports.
The campaign began on Sunday, with priority given to healthcare workers and close contacts of confirmed cases.
“The vaccination is starting today immediately,” announced Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana at a press conference.
The minister stressed that the vaccines, obtained from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, are a critical tool in preventing further spread of the deadly virus.
The Marburg virus, a highly contagious disease with a fatality rate of up to 88%, was declared an outbreak in Rwanda on September 27. Initial cases were identified among patients in healthcare facilities, with the source of the outbreak remaining undetermined.
As of now, 46 confirmed cases have been recorded, with 29 patients currently isolated. Health authorities have identified over 400 people who have been in contact with confirmed cases.
Similar to Ebola, the Marburg virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads through close contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes severe blood loss.
