Africa CDC appeals to America to reconsider the travel advisory regarding Rwanda

Addis Ababa, 19 November (IANS). The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called on the US to reconsider its Level 3 travel advisory for Rwanda. It was issued by the US in view of the increasing Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda.

The Africa CDC said in a statement issued on Monday that it formally received the approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued on October 7, Xinhua news agency reported. It is requested to re-evaluate and remove the travel advisory. In which it has warned its citizens to “reconsider traveling” to Rwanda.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya addressed the matter in a letter to US officials, according to the statement. Which highlighted Rwanda's progress in managing and preventing the spread of the virus.

“Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) took stock of the situation and said Rwanda has addressed it well,” Africa CDC said. WHO confirmed that the risk of transmission of Marburg virus disease is now low and that Rwanda's “No cases have been reported abroad or in the United States.”

It said the travel advisory has had a significant impact on Rwanda's tourism and business sector. Both sectors are important to its economy.

“Africa CDC urges HHS and CDC to work with international health agencies to assess the situation on the ground and operationalize travel advisories,” it said.

It stressed that revising the consultation would recognize Rwanda's public health achievements while also supporting its economic recovery.

As of Sunday, it had been 18 days since the last case of Marburg virus disease was reported in Rwanda, according to Africa CDC data.

All the previously infected patients were monitored and discharged after treatment.

Africa CDC attributed Rwanda's success to rapid and coordinated efforts by the country's Ministry of Health in collaboration with Africa CDC, the World Health Organization, and international partners.

–IANS

AKS/KR