Rwanda will now quickly start vaccinating patients infected with the deadly Marburg virus. The country, which is struggling with an outbreak of the viral disease, has now received 700 doses of an experimental vaccine from the Sabin Vaccine Institute in America.
The uprising has so far killed at least a dozen people. Most of them are people who work in health care. At least 46 people are infected. The source of the outbreak has not yet been discovered, which is why doctors fear an outbreak much more.
According to Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsansiman, people who are at greater risk will receive the vaccine first. These are mostly healthcare workers and people who have had contact with infected people.
50 percent die
The Marburg virus is similar to the Ebola virus. It is transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids such as saliva, vomit, sweat and feces. Infection with the Marburg virus leads to symptoms such as high fever, muscle pain, diarrhea and vomiting. At a later stage, patients experience internal bleeding.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an infection occurs around 50 percent of cases are fatal. Previous outbreaks killed between 24 and 88 percent of infected people.
The Rwandan government has taken measures to contain the revolution. For example, restrictions have been placed on the funerals of people who died from the virus, only a small number of guests are allowed. Passengers must also disinfect their hands at major stations and airports.
The vaccine from America has not yet been officially approved by pharmaceutical industry regulators, but it has already been used against the Marburg virus in previous outbreaks in Kenya and Uganda. The people who received the vaccine responded very well to the drug.
Problem in Germany
The non-profit organization Sabin Vaccine Institute has already promised to deliver more doses to Rwanda in the near future. In addition, the WHO has promised 5,000 doses of the drug remdesivir, which is used against Ebola.
The WHO has said that an international outbreak is unlikely. Last week there was some concern in Germany about a possible disease. Two people were taken from a train near Hamburg and they were alone because one of them had been in contact with an infected person in Rwanda. However, it turned out to be a false alarm It turned out that the disease was not German.
2024-10-06 19:27:06
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