U.S. Ramps Up Screening Measures For Marburg Virus

U.S. Ramps Up Screening Measures For Marburg Virus

Mac Slavo

The United States has ramped up its screening measures for the deadly Marburg virus, as Rwanda is adamant that the outbreak is getting under control. “The risk of Marburg in the U.S. remains low, however, these measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution given the ongoing outbreak in Rwanda,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson David Daigle said as the measures were announced back on October 7th.

Rwanda is still fighting its first outbreak of the Marburg virus, which is a cousin to the Ebola virus. Marburg is one of the deadliest viruses known to humans, with a fatality rate of about 88%. According to Rwandan Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, there have been 62 cases of Marburg confirmed in Rwanda, with 38 recoveries and 15 deaths.

The Marburg outbreak was officially declared on September 27th. Since then, Rwanda has also launched a “vaccination campaign” with “test” vaccines against the virus.

There are currently no ruling class licensed vaccines or treatments for Marburg, but several “vaccines” are in early-stage clinical trials. The Washington D.C.-based, non-profit Sabin Vaccine Institute has delivered 1,800 doses of its single-dose clinical trial vaccine to Rwanda.   To date, 856 people in high-risk groups, including close contacts of known cases and healthcare workers, have been given one of those doses, according to a report by CBS News. 

“We are seeing a positive trend. This is the 3rd week new infections have reduced by more than 50% compared to the first two weeks, and in consecutive days this week we have had no new detections,” Dr. Nsanzimana, said, adding: “In the past seven days, people recovering from treatment centers are now outnumbering people who die from the virus.”

The Rwandan Health Minister said teams were working to trace the routes of infection in the country and that health workers had implemented “testing for all travelers both at Kigali International Airport and all land borders to make sure we protect everyone in Rwanda and beyond, as this virus has to be contained quickly to avoid going out of control.”

The Rwandan Health Minister said teams were working to trace the routes of infection in the country and that health workers had implemented “testing for all travelers both at Kigali International Airport and all land borders to make sure we protect everyone in Rwanda and beyond, as this virus has to be contained quickly to avoid going out of control.”