Additionally, measures such as banning visits to hospitalised patients and restricting gatherings related to Marburg deaths have been implemented….reports Asian Lite News
Rwanda is preparing to initiate vaccine and therapeutic trials for Marburg virus disease in the coming days. The country has reported 36 confirmed cases and 11 fatalities since the outbreak began last month. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines for this disease, as confirmed by health officials Thursday.
“About to start vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials to protect high-risk groups. Let’s work together to contain this,” Rwandan Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Yvan Butera wrote in a post on X.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Rwanda Country Representative Brian Chilombo said that this initiative is part of a broader effort initiated two years ago involving 17 African nations willing to participate in clinical trials, Xinhua news agency reported.
During a television appearance on Wednesday, Chilombo said the WHO is working with Rwanda to get their scientists ready. “There are some drugs and some vaccines not approved yet but of promise. So in the next few days actually we will be bringing in some of those therapeutics and vaccines, working with not only the government, but also manufacturers, other countries, and donors. For Marburg, we are looking forward to being able to come up with some therapeutics and vaccines that we can use,” he said.
As part of their response, Rwandan health officials are actively monitoring 410 contacts of confirmed cases to prevent further transmission. Additionally, measures such as banning visits to hospitalised patients and restricting gatherings related to Marburg deaths have been implemented.
The health ministry has also urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, and vomiting to seek medical attention promptly.
Meanwhile, authorities said that they are closely monitoring up to 300 individuals identified as contacts of confirmed Marburg virus cases since an outbreak hit the country. As of Sunday, the Ministry of Health reported that 26 people have contracted the virus, including eight fatalities.
During a press conference in Kigali on Sunday evening, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana did not rule out the possibility of more cases. He said that to mitigate the risk of disease transmission, identified contacts are being isolated in various locations and managed according to their levels of exposure to infected individuals.
Nsanzimana urged the public to remain calm, emphasising that ongoing response efforts are focused on contact tracing, expedited testing, treatment, and ensuring the dissemination of accurate information about the disease.
“People can continue with their daily activities as there is no ban on any activity as part of the Marburg prevention measures. People should not panic as we have identified all the hotspots of the disease and are taking appropriate action,” he said.
Reaffirming Rwanda’s readiness to contain the outbreak, the minister urged the public to observe preventive measures, while the ministry continues to investigate the origins of the outbreak.
At the same press conference, Brian Chilombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Rwanda, highlighted the country’s robust community healthcare system, which facilitates contact tracing and efforts to contain the virus.
He noted that the WHO is prepared to provide additional testing equipment, and some experimental treatments, and that a team of seven expert researchers specialising in the virus will arrive in Rwanda in the coming days to enhance the country’s healthcare capacity and improve understanding of the disease. The Ministry of Health has advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle pain, or stomach aches to visit their nearest health facility
Uganda starts Ebola vaccination
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has announced the launch of a comprehensive Ebola preventive vaccination campaign targeting 25,000 people at high risk of contracting the deadly disease.
Charles Olaro, Director of Health Services at the ministry, said in a statement issued here Thursday that the initiative aims to safeguard vulnerable populations and enhance preparedness against the viral disease in the country.
Olaro said the ministry has acquired 25,000 Ebola vaccine regimens. The two-dose regimen has previously been used in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, with “Zabdeno” administered first and “Mvabea” given about eight weeks later as a second dose.
“This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to combat the Ebola threat in the region and protect the health and safety of Ugandans,” Olaro said. “We call on all stakeholders to support and participate in this vital vaccination campaign to help safeguard our communities from Ebola,” he added.
According to the Ministry of Health, the first round of the Ebola vaccination exercise kicked off on September 23, and the second round will be conducted on November 23.
Olaro said the priority groups for vaccination include health workers, armed forces, refugees, immigration personnel, and birth attendants. The Ebola virus is highly contagious and causes a range of symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise, and, in many cases, internal and external bleeding.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rates for Ebola fever are extremely high, with the human case fatality rate ranging from 50 percent to 89 percent, depending on the viral subtype.