Kigali, Oct 11
Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said that more than 200 people in the country have been vaccinated against Marburg virus disease.
On Thursday, Rwanda started vaccine trials for the disease last week after receiving the first dose of vaccine from the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute.
Nsanzimana said those who have been vaccinated include populations at high risk of contracting the virus, such as health workers and contacts of confirmed cases, news agency reported.
Since the Marburg outbreak was declared in Rwanda on September 27, 58 confirmed cases, including 13 deaths, have been recorded, with an estimated fatality rate of 22 per cent, according to the latest data from the ministry.
Nsanzimana said the government has implemented screening mechanisms, listed all contacts of Marburg virus cases, and established electronic systems to ensure that close contacts under quarantine do not move or travel unnoticed.
"We have also put a lot of efforts at points of entry, particularly at Kigali International Airport and land borders, to ensure no exported infection to other countries both in the region and beyond as our international health obligation," Nsanzimana said during a virtual press briefing.