The US allocates $11 million to fight the Marburg virus in Rwanda: what is known
The Biden-Harris Administration is allocating $11 million to support Rwanda in fighting the Marburg virus. The US is helping to control the spread of the disease.
Photo: CDC/ Dr. Erskine Palmer, Russell Regnery
The Biden-Harris Administration has allocated $11 million to help Rwanda in combating the outbreak of the Marburg virus.
On September 27, the Ministry of Health of Rwanda officially announced the outbreak, and since then, the US has been actively supporting the country in containing the dangerous infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US assessed the risk of the virus spreading to the US as low, and currently, there are no confirmed cases outside of Rwanda.
To combat the virus, the US has sent three senior CDC scientists to Rwanda, along with more than 500 tests and units of personal protective equipment.
Additionally, a shipment of experimental vaccines and treatment drugs, which has already arrived in the country, was sent.
At present, there are no FDA-approved vaccines for the Marburg virus, but the US continues to provide support in the areas of epidemiological control and infection safety.
Moreover, the US has introduced additional precautionary measures for passengers arriving from Rwanda. Travelers are being directed to specific airports for medical screening and to reduce the risk of the virus entering the country.
It is worth noting that at the end of September 2024, the Rwandan government reported the first case of an outbreak caused by the Marburg virus.
As of October 4, the virus had infected 41 people, 12 of whom died, making this one of the largest outbreaks in the world. The Marburg virus is part of the same family as the Ebola virus and poses a serious health threat.