The World Health Organization announced on the 15th local time that Rwanda has launched a clinical trial for the treatment of Marburg virus disease on the same day, which is the world’s first related clinical trial.
It is reported that this test involves testing the safety and effectiveness of remdesivir, an antiviral drug, and MBP091, a special antibody used to fight Marburg virus.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that this is encouraging news.
According to the United Nations website, Marburg virus disease is a highly lethal disease caused by the Marburg virus, with symptoms including high fever, headache, bleeding, etc. The average mortality rate is about 50%. Since its first discovery in 1967, there have been no vaccines or effective therapies approved for use, but some immunotherapies and drugs are currently under development.
On September 27th of this year, the Rwandan Ministry of Health announced the country’s first case of Marburg virus infection. According to statistics, as of October 15th, the country has confirmed 62 cases of Marburg virus infection, including 15 deaths and 30 recoveries.
On October 10th, Jean Caseya, Director of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the Marburg virus disease outbreak currently spreading in Rwanda has been brought under control.