The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Applauds United States (U.S.) Decision to Lift Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Rwanda Amidst Marburg Outbreak Control Success
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) commends the United States Government for taking decisive action to lift the Rwanda Marburg Level 3 (Reconsider Non-Essential Travel) travel health notice originally issued on October 7, 2024. It amounts to a travel ban, resulting in de facto restrictions on the movement of U.S. citizens to Rwanda. It has also dealt a major blow to the national economy as the country marshals resources to respond to a complex and high-risk outbreak.
This decision highlights Rwanda’s exceptional leadership and innovative management in containing the Marburg outbreak. It affirms the country’s strong commitment to safeguarding public health and restoring confidence in Africa and the world.
In the interest of transparency, Rwanda declared an outbreak in Marburg on September 27, 2024, which was later determined to be a zoonotic disease originating from bats. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized the serious threat posed by Marburg virus, which could have a mortality rate of over 80% if left unchecked, and mobilized immediately. Within 24 hours of the announcement, more than 30 public health experts and critical resources were deployed to support Rwanda’s response.
Africa CDC’s contributions have been instrumental in Rwanda’s success, including decentralizing an effective and efficient laboratory network, strengthening surveillance systems, strengthening community engagement strategies, and increasing the country’s capacity to deliver a robust and coordinated response.
The Director-General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set a strong example of leadership by prioritizing Africa’s emergency health crises (Mpox, Marburg virus, etc.) over international affairs. The Director-General has canceled participation in high-profile events such as the World Health Summit, G20, COP29, and instead focused on direct support for Mpox and Marburg virus. He has visited Rwanda multiple times and met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Minister of Health Dr Paul Kagame works closely with Sabin Nsanzimana and key stakeholders.
“Africa CDC’s unwavering commitment helps ensure that the Marburg outbreak remains contained in Rwanda and prevents further regional or international spread,” said Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana.
Recognizing the extraordinary progress made by Rwanda, the Director-General formally appealed to the U.S. government on 18 November 2024, through the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union, by writing to the U.S. Secretary of Health and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The letter emphasized that Rwanda’s epidemic situation is exemplary. Management also called for the L3 travel warning to be reassessed and lifted.(1)
In line with World Health Organization guidelines, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to support Rwanda in monitoring and preparing for the official declaration of the end of the Marburg outbreak, which is expected to be on December 12, 2024, after the official declaration of the end of the Marburg outbreak on October 30, 2024 There have been no new confirmed cases for 42 consecutive days since Japan.
Africa CDC thanks African heads of state, governments and communities for their unwavering trust and support. It also emphasizes the importance of global solidarity, cooperation and mutual trust, advocating against travel bans as the primary response mechanism during health crises.
The United States remains an important partner in Africa’s health sector. Africa CDC is firmly committed to strengthening this partnership and building alliances with U.S. and global stakeholders to strengthen Africa’s health systems to respond robustly to the outbreak and, in light of the lessons learned from COVID-19, reiterates that only all No one is safe until everyone is safe.
Finally, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes President Kagame’s call for sustainable mobilization of resources to support African health institutions in his letter to African Heads of State on November 7, 2024. A key meeting in Addis Ababa on February 14, 2025 will bring together African heads of state, private sector and philanthropy leaders, and various global partners to discuss the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the African Medicines Agency ( AMA), AUDA-NEPAD, and broader health systems across the continent.
We will continue to work together to build a resilient and self-reliant Africa, safeguard the health of 1.4 billion Africans, and contribute to global health security.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
