Rwanda has begun administering vaccines to combat its first outbreak of the Marburg virus, a deadly Ebola-like disease, health authorities announced on Sunday, 6 October.

The outbreak, declared on 27 September 2024, has resulted in 12 deaths and 46 confirmed cases.

Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana stated that the vaccination campaign started immediately, focusing on high-risk groups such as healthcare workers and individuals who have been in close contact with confirmed cases.

Rwanda has received vaccine shipments, including doses from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, and plans to expand distribution as part of its effort to contain the Marburg virus outbreak. Nsanzimana stressed that the vaccines are a crucial tool in controlling the virus, which has primarily affected patients in health facilities.

At the moment, the source of the outbreak remains unknown. Authorities have identified over four hundred individuals who had contact with confirmed cases, with 29 patients currently in isolation.

The Marburg virus – originating from fruit bats – spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. It has a fatality rate of up to 88% and presents symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, extreme blood loss.

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