The Africa Centres for Illness Management and Prevention (Africa CDC) commends the USA authorities for its decisive motion to elevate the Stage 3 (Rethink Nonessential Journey) Journey Well being Discover for Marburg in Rwanda, initially issued on October 7, 2024. This advisory, equated to a journey ban, resulted in de facto restriction to motion of Americans to Rwanda. It additionally dealt a big financial blow to the nation because it marshaled sources to confront a fancy and high-risk outbreak.
This resolution underscores Rwanda’s outstanding achievements in distinctive management and revolutionary administration on the containment of the Marburg outbreak. It affirms the nation’s steadfast dedication to safeguarding public well being and restoring confidence in Africa and the World.
In an act of transparency, Rwanda declared the Marburg outbreak on September 27, 2024, later recognized as a zoonotic illness from bats. Recognizing the grave risk posed by the Marburg virus, with a possible fatality fee exceeding 80% if unchecked, the Africa CDC mobilized instantly. Inside 24 hours of the declaration, over 30 public well being specialists, alongside important sources, had been deployed to assist Rwanda’s response efforts.
Africa CDC’s contributions had been instrumental in Rwanda’s success, together with decentralizing an efficient and environment friendly laboratory community, enhancing surveillance techniques, strengthening group engagement methods, and bolstering the nation’s capability to ship a strong and coordinated response.
The Director Basic of Africa CDC set a strong instance of management by prioritizing Africa’s pressing well being crises (Mpox, Marburg and others) over worldwide engagements. Canceling participation in high-profile occasions such because the World Well being Summit, G20, COP29, and others, the Director Basic as an alternative centered on direct assist on Mpox and Marburg, visiting Rwanda a number of occasions to work intently with President Paul Kagame, Minister of Well being Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, and key stakeholders.
“Africa CDC’s unwavering dedication was instrumental in making certain that the Marburg outbreak remained contained inside Rwanda’s borders, stopping additional regional or worldwide unfold.” stated Minister of Well being Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana.
Recognizing Rwanda’s extraordinary progress, the Director Basic formally appealed to the U.S. authorities by way of a letter addressed to the U.S. Secretary of Well being and the CDC Director, submitted through the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union on November 18, 2024. The letter highlighted Rwanda’s exemplary outbreak administration and referred to as for a reassessment and elevate of the L3 journey advisory.[1]
As per WHO tips, Africa CDC will proceed to assist Rwanda in monitoring and getting ready for the official declaration of the tip of the Marburg outbreak, anticipated on December 12, 2024, following 42 days with no new confirmed circumstances since October 30, 2024.
Africa CDC extends its gratitude to African Heads of State, governments, and communities for his or her unwavering belief and assist. It additionally emphasizes the significance of world solidarity, cooperation, and mutual belief, advocating towards journey bans as a major response mechanism throughout well being crises.
America stays a significant companion in Africa’s well being sector. Africa CDC is deeply dedicated to strengthening this partnership and fostering alliances with the USA and international stakeholders to reinforce Africa’s well being techniques for sturdy outbreak responses, reiterating, according to the teachings of COVID-19, that nobody is secure till everyone seems to be secure.
Lastly, Africa CDC echoes President Kagame’s name for sustainable useful resource mobilization to assist African well being establishments in his letter despatched to African Heads of State on 7 November 2024. A pivotal assembly on February 14, 2025, in Addis Ababa will deliver collectively African Heads of State, personal sector and philanthropy leaders, and numerous international companions to debate long-term funding options for Africa CDC, the African Medicines Company (AMA), AUDA-NEPAD, and broader well being techniques throughout the continent.
Collectively, we are going to proceed constructing a resilient and self-reliant Africa, safeguarding the well being of 1.4 billion Africans whereas contributing to international well being safety.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Illness Management and Prevention (Africa CDC).