ETHIOPIA – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has formally requested the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reassess the Level 3 travel advisory (“Reconsider Travel”) issued for Rwanda on October 7, 2024.
The advisory, prompted by the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak, is now under scrutiny as Africa CDC highlights Rwanda’s significant progress in controlling the situation.
In a letter to U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, Africa CDC Director General H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya highlighted Rwanda’s remarkable progress in managing the outbreak.
As of November 17, the country has gone 18 days without reporting a new case. All infected patients have been discharged, and comprehensive monitoring systems are in place.
Additionally, all identified contacts have completed the required monitoring period with no new infections.
Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg or Ravn virus, sharing similarities with Ebola.
It has a case fatality rate of 24% to 88% and is transmitted to humans through fruit bats or direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
Symptoms include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and hemorrhaging, typically appearing 5–7 days after onset. Rwanda’s current outbreak, its first, began on September 27, 2024.
Coordinated response yields results
Rwanda’s successful containment of its first Marburg outbreak is attributed to swift, coordinated efforts led by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and international partners.
Key measures included nationwide surveillance systems for early case detection, innovative contact tracing and isolation strategies, upgraded treatment facilities meeting global standards, and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on prevention and early detection.
Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, commended the collective efforts:
“More than a month without a death from Marburg is indicative of the sound progress we have made, but the country remains vigilant.”
Surveillance has extended to monitoring fruit bats, identified as the source of the index case, and all caves in Rwanda.
Of the 66 confirmed cases reported as of November 11, 51 individuals have recovered. The case fatality rate remains at 22.7%, significantly lower than previous outbreaks in the region.
Rwanda has deployed new tools, therapeutics, and vaccines to enhance outcomes, underscoring the importance of international collaboration.
Africa CDC and Rwanda urge revision of travel advisory
The Level 3 travel advisory has had a substantial impact on Rwanda’s tourism and business sectors, both critical to its economy.
Africa CDC and Rwanda’s Ministry of Health argue that the advisory no longer reflects the epidemiological reality.
Dr. Kaseya emphasized: “Revising the advisory would recognize Rwanda’s public health achievements while supporting its economic recovery. It would also reinforce the strong partnership between Africa CDC and the United States in advancing global health security.”
Evaluations by Africa CDC and WHO confirm that the risk of further transmission is low, with no cases reported outside Rwanda or in the United States.
