Rwanda has commenced administering vaccines to combat an outbreak of the Marburg virus, a highly fatal Ebola-like disease, which has so far claimed 12 lives. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana announced the vaccination effort, prioritizing healthcare workers and close contacts of confirmed cases.
Speaking at a press conference in Kigali, Nsanzimana confirmed that shipments of vaccines, including those from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, have already arrived. The outbreak, detected in late September, has led to 46 reported cases.
Marburg virus has a fatality rate of up to 88%, with symptoms including high fever, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The vaccination campaign aims to control further spread and protect high-risk groups, as efforts continue to address the outbreak.
