The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) commended the U.S. government's decision to lift the Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Rwanda regarding the Marburg virus outbreak. This notice, initially issued on October 7, 2024, functioned similarly to a travel ban, impacting American citizens' ability to travel to Rwanda and adversely affecting the country's economy during a critical health crisis.
Rwanda reported the Marburg outbreak on September 27, 2024, with the virus known for its high fatality rate often exceeding 80%. The Africa CDC mobilized swiftly, dispatching over 30 public health experts and essential resources to assist Rwanda within a day of the outbreak's announcement.
The Director General of Africa CDC emphasized the importance of Rwanda's leadership and commitment to public health, which played a pivotal role in managing the outbreak effectively. Rwanda's Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, acknowledged the crucial support from Africa CDC in containing the virus.
The U.S. decision to lift the travel advisory is expected to bolster Rwanda's economy, which suffered from previous restrictions that discouraged tourism and trade. The Director General of Africa CDC had formally requested the U.S. to reconsider the travel advisory in a letter sent on November 18, 2024.
According to World Health Organization guidelines, Africa CDC will continue to support Rwanda until the official end of the Marburg outbreak, anticipated on December 12, 2024, after 42 days without new cases. The lifting of the travel notice is viewed as a positive step towards recovery and renewed international engagement.