**Rwanda Launches Vaccination Drive Against Deadly Marburg Virus**

Rwanda has initiated a vaccination campaign to curb an outbreak of the Marburg virus, a disease bearing similarities to Ebola. Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana announced the start of the vaccination efforts during a press conference held on Sunday in Kigali, the nation's capital.

The outbreak, which was identified on September 27, has thus far claimed 12 lives. The virus was initially detected in patients at healthcare facilities. While the source of the outbreak remains unconfirmed, the Rwandan government is focusing its vaccination efforts on those at greatest risk.

Nsanzimana highlighted that healthcare workers, particularly those in treatment centers, hospitals, intensive care units, and emergency departments, are prioritized for vaccination. Close contacts of confirmed cases are also receiving the vaccine. "We believe that, with vaccines, we have a powerful tool to stop the spread of this virus," Nsanzimana stated. The country has received vaccine shipments, including supplies from the Sabin Vaccine Institute.

Currently, Rwanda is dealing with 46 confirmed cases of the virus, with 29 individuals isolated. Health authorities have traced at least 400 people who have been in contact with confirmed cases. The Marburg virus, which can be fatal in up to 88 percent of those infected, spreads through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of the virus include fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, extreme blood loss.

Historically, Marburg virus outbreaks and cases have been reported in several other African countries, including Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana, according to the World Health Organization. Despite the severe nature of the disease, there is currently no authorized vaccine or treatment for Marburg.