The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called on U.S. health authorities to reconsider the Level 3 travel advisory issued for Rwanda in October, citing the country’s significant strides in containing the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak.
In a formal communication to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya highlighted Rwanda’s effective containment measures. As of November 17, the country has gone 18 days without reporting a new MVD case. All previously infected individuals have fully recovered, and stringent monitoring systems have ensured that 100% of case contacts completed their observation period without incident.
Rwanda’s response, widely recognized as a model for outbreak management, was spearheaded by its Ministry of Health in collaboration with Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and international partners. Key measures included:
- Enhanced surveillance systems for early detection.
- Robust contact tracing to promptly isolate potential carriers.
- State-of-the-art treatment facilities meeting global standards.
- Comprehensive public awareness campaigns to promote preventive measures.
The outbreak, declared on September 27, originated from a zoonotic spillover involving fruit bats. Of the 66 confirmed cases, 51 patients have recovered, while the case fatality rate has been contained at 22.7%, significantly lower than prior regional outbreaks. Surveillance has since been expanded to include monitoring fruit bats and caves to mitigate future risks.
During Africa CDC’s weekly media briefing, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, underscored the country’s progress, stating, “Over a month without any deaths from Marburg reflects the substantial gains we’ve achieved, but our vigilance continues.” Survivors are undergoing close monitoring as part of efforts to manage potential long-term health impacts.
Recent assessments by Africa CDC and WHO confirm that the risk of further transmission within Rwanda or across its borders is minimal. No cases have been reported outside Rwanda or in the United States.
The Level 3 travel advisory, which advises travelers to “Reconsider Travel,” has negatively impacted Rwanda’s tourism and business sectors, both vital to the nation’s economy. Africa CDC has urged U.S. health authorities to work with global health agencies to update the advisory in light of the current epidemiological data.
“Revising the advisory would not only acknowledge Rwanda’s exemplary public health response but also support its economic recovery,” Dr. Kaseya noted.
Rwanda’s success in managing the outbreak underscores the importance of regional and international collaboration in addressing health emergencies. Africa CDC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states in protecting public health and building resilience against future outbreaks.
