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 Rwandas 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 Rwandas significant progress in containing and managing the outbreak. He pointed out that, as of November 17, it had been 18 days since the nations 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 Rwandas response and confirmed that the risk of further transmission is low.
