At least 12 people have already died in Rwanda from the deadly Marburg virus; the majority of them were medical professionals. Rwanda has announced that it would start vaccination trials for the infection
The vaccine has been supplied to the east African nation in 700 doses by the US-based nonprofit Sabin Vaccine Institute.
The vaccination would first target individuals who are most at risk, such as medical professionals and others who have interacted with Marburg patients, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said.
Similar to Ebola, the extremely contagious illness causes fever, cramping in the muscles, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in rare cases, excessive bleeding that results in death.
According to the health ministry, Rwanda has had at least 46 cases. The virus has never before been discovered in the nation, and its origin is still a mystery.
Nsanzimana stated that since trials for the vaccination had already taken place in Kenya and Uganda, “people should not worry” about health issues around the vaccine.