Rwanda commences clinical trials for Marburg treatment

Rwanda has launched the world's first clinical trial for the treatment of the Ebola-like Marburg virus disease, which has killed more than a dozen people in the country, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.

The initiative, in partnership with the WHO, is testing the safety and efficacy of two treatments, one of which is currently in use for COVID-19, WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said on X.

On Wednesday, Moeti visited the Marburg outbreak response sites in Rwanda's capital Kigali, where Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana briefed her delegation on the outbreak's severe effects, particularly the tragic loss of key health workers among the first victims.

Nsanzimana highlighted the Rwandan government's proactive measures, such as investigating the source of the outbreak, the results of which will be shared publicly soon. He also provided updates on current vaccination efforts for 700 frontline responders and door-to-door contact-tracing initiatives aimed at containing the virus.

At the beginning of the month, Rwanda's Health Ministry launched a vaccination campaign, targeting more than 700 people at high risk of contracting the Marburg virus disease.

Nsanzimana said the government has introduced screening mechanisms, identified all contacts of Marburg virus disease patients, and put in place electronic systems to ensure close contacts under quarantine do not relocate or travel unnoticed.

Moeti commended Rwanda's proactive and swift actions in identifying cases, providing outstanding clinical care and implementing rapid control measures to prevent further transmission. She reiterated the WHO's commitment to supporting Rwanda in managing the outbreak, emphasizing the critical need for enhanced infection prevention and control measures to safeguard health workers.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the news on X.

"Encouraging news from Rwanda," he wrote.

The trial is the result of two years of work by nearly 200 researchers, developers, Health Ministry officials and partners from 17 African countries at risk of filovirus outbreaks such as Ebola and Marburg.

As of Wednesday, Rwanda has reported 62 confirmed cases, 80 percent of whom are healthcare workers. There have been 15 reported deaths, while 30 individuals have recovered, according to the Health Ministry.

Xinhua contributed to this story.