Rwanda confirms three new Marburg cases
By John Mbati |
On Sunday, the government began administering vaccine doses to contain the disease.
Rwanda has confirmed three new cases of the Marburg virus in the last 24 hours, with the total number now rising to 49, according to the New Times Rwanda.
The death toll from the virus outbreak currently stands at 12. Health authorities are said to be working swiftly to curb the spread of the deadly virus, including vaccination.
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The government, on Sunday, began administering vaccine doses to contain the disease, which spreads like Ebola.
Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana, during a news briefing in Kigali, said "Vaccination is starting today immediately."
Nsanzimana added that the priority would be vaccinating those most at risk, including healthcare workers in treatment centres, hospitals, ICUs, and emergency rooms.
Individuals who have been in close contact with confirmed cases will also be given top priority.
Reports indicate that Rwanda has already received shipments of vaccines, including those from the Sabin Vaccine Institute.
The East African country's first outbreak of viral hemorrhagic fever was detected in late September this year. Since then, Rwanda has recorded 46 cases and 12 deaths.
Marburg, which belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, has a fatality rate as high as 88%.
Symptoms of the disease include high fever, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The virus is transmitted to humans through fruit bats and spreads via contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.
Neighbouring Uganda has experienced several outbreaks in the past, while Tanzania recorded cases of Marburg in 2023.
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