According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, this funding will support efforts to end the outbreak in collaboration with Rwanda's Ministry of Health.
'The funds will address the remaining needs in Rwanda's national MVD response that include case management, contact tracing, and infection prevention and control,' the statement reads.
The U.S. has praised Rwanda's swift response in implementing effective measures to protect its citizens' health and expressed hope that the additional funding will further strengthen Rwanda's disease preparedness, response, and advance the global health security agenda.
Since the start of the outbreak, the U.S. has committed over $8.35 million in emergency funding, donated nearly 2,000 testing kits, provided essential medical supplies to frontline workers, and sent U.S. medical experts to assist with disease detection and surveillance.
In early October, the U.S. government delivered an initial shipment of vaccine doses and therapeutic drugs for Marburg disease to Rwanda, in a joint effort to contain the outbreak.
Rwanda's response to the Marburg outbreak has been recognized by key institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in their official statements.
Rwanda confirmed its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak on September 27, 2024. So far, the country has reported 62 cases, 46 recoveries, and 15 deaths from 4,924 tests conducted.
To contain the outbreak, Rwanda recently launched vaccination efforts for frontline health workers and initiated clinical trials for Marburg treatment.
The Marburg virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever, is believed to originate from fruit bats and spreads through close contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding.
Health experts advise strict hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with personal items or bodily fluids of symptomatic individuals, to prevent infection.
Théophile Niyitegeka
