The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has formally urged the United States to reassess and lift the Level 3 travel advisory issued for Rwanda in connection with the Marburg virus outbreak, pointing out that the country has not recorded a new infection for several weeks.
The US updated its travel advisory for Rwanda to “Reconsider Travel” on October 7 in response to an emergence of the virus on September 27. Still in effect, the travel advisory has had “a substantial impact on Rwanda’s tourism and business sectors”, Africa CDC stressed in a press statement on Monday, November 18.
Jean Kaseya, DG for Africa CDC, penned a letter to US Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Director of the US CDC Mandy Cohen, highlighting Rwanda’s significant progress in containing and managing the outbreak. He pointed out that, as of November 17, it had been 18 days since the nation’s last reported case. Of 66 reported cases, 51 recoveries have been recorded.
“All previously infected patients have been successfully discharged and rigorous monitoring and community follow-up systems are now in place. Additionally, all contact cases were follow-ups and have completed the required monitoring period,” Kaseya highlighted.
Recent evaluations by Africa CDC and WHO have acknowledged the effectiveness of Rwanda’s response and confirmed that the risk of further transmission is low.
Kaseya said revising the advisory would “recognise Rwanda’s public health achievements while supporting its economic recovery”.
During the Africa CDC weekly media briefing on November 14, Rwanda’s Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana said the comparatively low fatality rate of 22.7% was indicative of these achievements.
“The deployment of new tools, therapeutics and vaccines has contributed significantly to these outcomes. More than a month without a death from Marburg is indicative of the sound progress we have made but the country remains vigilant,” said Nsanzimana.
Based on current data, the outbreak originated from a single spillover of zoonotic transmission from fruit bats. Surveillance in Rwanda has been extended to include fruit bat caves across the country.
