Researchers and health authorities are urgently working to test vaccines and treatments against the deadly Marburg virus, which has recently caused an outbreak in Rwanda. As of September 30, 2024, the virus has infected 27 people and claimed nine lives, with most cases reported among healthcare workers in the capital, Kigali.
The Marburg virus is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever, closely related to the Ebola virus. While there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Marburg virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) and scientists hope to use the current outbreak to test experimental vaccines and gather data on their safety and efficacy.
Plans for Vaccine Trials
The WHO convened a teleconference on September 30 to discuss potential vaccine trials. The meeting included Rwandan scientists and members of the Marburg Virus Vaccine Consortium (MARVAC), a group of researchers, companies, and non-profit organizations. The goal is to fast-track vaccine trials and treatments like antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies.
One of the strategies being considered is ring vaccination, which involves immunizing the contacts of infected individuals. This approach was successfully used to combat the Ebola virus during the 2014–16 outbreak in West Africa.
According to Ira Longini, a biostatistician at the University of Florida and a member of MARVAC, at least one vaccine will likely be trialed using the ring vaccination method if the outbreak continues.
Leading Vaccine Candidates
Several experimental Marburg vaccines are under development, with the most advanced candidate led by the Sabin Vaccine Institute in Washington, D.C. This vaccine uses a modified chimpanzee adenovirus to prompt the body’s immune response. Early trials in the United States showed promising results, and larger trials are underway in Uganda and Kenya.
Oxford University in the UK is also developing a similar vaccine, showing early signs of safety and effectiveness in ongoing trials. Meanwhile, the International Aids Vaccine Initiative is developing a Marburg vaccine modeled after an approved Ebola vaccine, with production slated to begin soon.
Rwanda’s Role and Preparedness
While Rwanda’s health authorities are working quickly to contain the outbreak, the virus’s potential spread to neighboring countries remains a concern. Mark Feinberg, chief executive of the International Aids Vaccine Initiative, praised Rwanda’s capability to manage the situation but warned of the risks of regional spread.
WHO officials are working closely with Rwandan authorities to ensure that clinical trials are approved and implemented swiftly. Nancy Sullivan, a viral immunologist at Boston University, noted that while this outbreak may end before definitive trial data is gathered, it’s an important step toward addressing future outbreaks.
“The idea now is that you just move forward and don’t worry that the outbreak will end,” Sullivan said. “It’s just a piece of the overall trial.”