The Marburg epidemic Rwanda raises serious concerns within the African Union. Jean Kaseyadirector of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently expressed concerns about the potential spread of the virus beyond Rwanda’s borders.
The high mortality rate associated with this disease reinforces the urgency of the situation. Mr. Cashier underlines the need for rapid and effective action to contain the epidemic, otherwise it could take on a regional scale. African health authorities are taking this threat very seriously, aware of the devastating consequences that uncontrolled spread could cause.
Currently, the epidemic seems limited to Rwanda. However, the geographical proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Tanzania accentuates the risks of cross-border spread. These neighboring countries fortunately have valuable experience in managing such health crises, which could prove crucial if the virus were to cross their borders.
Faced with this threat, medical research is intensifying. In Russia, the center Vector reached an important milestone in the development of a vaccine against the virus Marburg. Pre-clinical studies have shown promising results, offering hope in the fight against this disease. The center is now awaiting authorization to begin clinical trials, a crucial step towards developing an effective prevention tool.
