Rwanda: World’s First Clinical Trial for Treatment of Marburg Virus Disease Began

Health Workers treating a patient, Oct 2024 Photo: @NtamakemwaP

October 16, 2024 Hour: 4:39 pm

The health initiative is part of a process that began two years ago, where 17 African countries, including Rwanda, were identified by the WHO as willing to conduct clinical trials.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Rwanda launched the world’s first clinical trial for a treatment of Marburg virus disease.

The initiative, in partnership with the WHO, is testing the safety and efficacy of two treatments: Remdesivir, a drug currently used to treat COVID-19, and MBP091, a specialized antibody developed to fight Marburg virus disease, WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said on X.

The health initiative is part of a process that began two years ago, where 17 African countries, including Rwanda, were identified by the WHO as willing to conduct clinical trials.

Currently, no treatment or vaccine is available for Marburg virus disease.

"Now an update on the outbreak of #Marburg virus disease in #Rwanda.

Since the outbreak was declared three weeks ago, 62 cases have been reported, with 15 deaths. Seventeen people are in isolation and care, 30 have recovered, and more than 800 contacts are being followed up.

So…
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 16, 2024

Rwanda declared a Marburg virus outbreak on Sept. 27.

As of Tuesday, 62 confirmed cases and 15 deaths have been reported, while 30 individuals have recovered, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health of the country.

Earlier this month, the East African country launched a vaccination campaign against the virus, with over 700 people at high risk of contracting it already vaccinated, according to the ministry. The Sabin Vaccine Institute, a nonprofit organization, said it has delivered about 1,700 investigational vaccine doses to Rwanda to bolster the ongoing response to the Marburg virus disease.

The Rwandan government has introduced screening mechanisms, identified all contacts of Marburg virus disease patients, and implemented electronic systems to ensure close contacts under quarantine do not move or travel unnoticed.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said last week that the outbreak is now under control.

The health ministry has advised anyone exhibiting symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle pain, or stomach aches to visit their nearest health facility.