Rwanda has initiated the world’s first clinical trial aimed at treating the Ebola-like Marburg virus, which has claimed over a dozen lives in the nation, according to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed optimism about the development via X, noting that Rwanda’s efforts mark a significant milestone in combating Marburg virus disease. The trial is being conducted in partnership with WHO and will assess a treatment previously used for COVID-19.
The outbreak of Marburg was first reported in Rwanda in late September, leading to the launch of a vaccination initiative utilizing an experimental vaccine earlier this month.
According to the African Union’s health authority, as of last Thursday, the outbreak is now under control. Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana reported 58 confirmed cases and 13 fatalities due to the virus, while 12 individuals have successfully recovered and over 2,700 people have been tested.
Marburg virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and belongs to the filovirus family, which also includes Ebola. It presents a high fatality rate—up to 88%—and causes severe hemorrhagic fever characterized by bleeding and organ failure.
Currently, there are no officially approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for Marburg; however, various potential therapies—including blood products and immune treatments—are undergoing evaluation.
The new clinical trial will focus on testing the safety and effectiveness of Remdesivir—a drug known for its use against COVID-19—and MBP091, a specialized antibody targeting the Marburg virus.
“This trial represents two years of collaborative effort involving nearly 200 researchers, health officials from ministries across Africa, and global partners dedicated to addressing outbreaks of filoviruses like Ebola and Marburg,” WHO noted on X.
Published on October 16, 2024 and Last Updated on October 17, 2024 by: Priyank Pandey
