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.

Marburg has caused small, episodic outbreaks since first being identified, most recently last year in Tanzania and Ghana. It is one of the deadliest known viruses, with no approved vaccines or specific treatments.

The country has already received shipments of the vaccines including from the Sabin Vaccine Institute. Rwanda's first outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic fever was detected in late September, with 46 cases and 12 deaths reported since then. Marburg has a fatality rate as high as 88 per cent.

The infectious virus, similar to Ebola, was first traced to patients in health facilities. Officials confirmed 36 cases this week. Rwanda’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that the ongoing outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever has killed 11 people,

The East African country continues to investigate the source of the outbreak, first traced among patients in health facilities.

Health authorities say Marburg hemorrhagic fever has killed 11 people in Rwanda. The East African country is searching for the source of an outbreak first traced among patients in health facilities.

Marburg virus disease has killed 11 people and sickened 25 others in Rwanda, which declared an outbreak on Sept. 27.

Rwandan health authorities will begin a vaccine study against the Marburg hemorrhagic fever, officials said Sunday, as the East African country tries to stop the spread of an outbreak that has killed 12 people.