Marburg Virus: Rwanda Kicks Off Vaccination Campaign As Death Toll Increases To 12

Rwanda to begin administration of Marburg vaccines after the US successfully delivered an initial shipment of 700 doses on Saturday.

Marburg Virus Outbreak in Rwanda: Death toll in Rwanda has climbed to 12 due to the deadly Marburg virus. Rwanda government recently announced on Sunday that they have begun distracting doses of the Marburg virus vaccine to contain and combat this outbreak. Thierry Roels, the U.S. CDC Country Director in Rwanda told Reuters that a US-based US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute has supplied about 700 doses of vaccines to the country on Saturday. According to media sources, the Health Minister said during a press conference that the administration of the vaccines will be conducted with a focus on the people who are most at risk, healthcare professional who are working in treatment central, intensive care units, hospitals, emergency services and people who have been in close contact with confirmed cases.

The minister also said that, "We believe that with these vaccines, we have a powerful tool to contain this virus.

The first case of the viral haemorrhagic fever was detected in the month of September and since then the country has detected a total of 46 cases and 12 deaths. The fatality rate of Marburg virus in up to 88 per cent.

Neighbouring countries of east Africa have also ramped up their surveillance to prevent any risk of outbreak of the disease.