Concerted efforts urged to contain Marburg as deaths hit 11 in Rwanda

Lab technicians conducting tests on a suspected disease outbreak. [Getty Images]

Deaths from a Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda have reached 11, Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said Thursday, as calls for stronger international collaboration mount.

"As of today, we have confirmed 36 cases of the Marburg disease, and unfortunately we have lost 11 people," Nsanzimana said, adding that so far most of the cases have been healthcare workers, accounting for 80 per cent of all reported cases.