Rwanda starts vaccine trials against deadly Marburg virus

Rwanda has said it will begin vaccine trials for the fatal Marburg virus, which has already killed at least 12 people in the country - most of them health workers.

The east African country has received 700 doses of the vaccine from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, a US-based non-profit organisation.

Those most at risk, like doctors, and those who have come in contact with Marburg patients, will be the initial target for the vaccine, according to Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana

The highly-infectious disease is similar to Ebola, with symptoms including fever, muscle pains, diarrhoea, vomiting and, in some cases, death through extreme blood loss.