Rwanda is preparing to begin trials of vaccines and treatments for Marburg disease in the coming weeks, Rwandan Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana said on Thursday.
"This is part of our efforts to help people recover quickly by utilizing vaccines and medicines specifically developed to fight this outbreak, currently in the final phase of research," Sabin Nsanzimana said.
Sabin Nsanzimana added that the country is working with pharmaceutical companies and the World Health Organization to expedite the clinical trials. The ministry is closely monitoring 410 individuals who have been in contact with confirmed Marburg cases. Five individuals have tested negative but are awaiting further tests.
Marburg virus can cause high fever, headache, and weakness, typically within seven days of infection, and is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.
Earlier, Russia's consumer rights and human welfare watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, stated that it is monitoring the Marburg fever outbreak in Rwanda. The agency, which possesses its own testing system for the Marburg virus, believes that the situation is likely to be similar to previous Ebola outbreaks.