The policy, which required passengers from Rwanda to be redirected to three designated U.S. airports for screening, is now no longer in effect. This decision also removes the requirement for travelers who have been in Rwanda within the last 21 days to undergo additional health assessments.
' Passengers are now able to arrive in the United States without being redirected to one of the three designated airports where public health entry screening was previously conducted,' reads a statement released on December 4.
This change follows the November 22, 2024, downgrade of Rwanda's travel advisory from Level 3 ("Reconsider Travel") to Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), signaling that the situation had significantly improved.
In addition, the last known patient with Marburg Virus Disease in Rwanda tested negative on November 8, 2024, and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Rwanda had begun the 42-day countdown to officially declare the end of the outbreak.
With no new cases reported, public health officials are now confident that the risk posed by the virus has been effectively mitigated.
While the end of the screening measures marks a positive step, U.S. health authorities emphasized the continued importance of vigilance and monitoring.
The Marburg Virus Disease outbreak was first declared in Rwanda on September 27,2024.
As Rwanda approaches the official declaration of the end of the outbreakâ€"expected to occur on December 12, 2024, this policy change is expected to improve the flow of air travel between Rwanda and the U.S., making it easier for passengers to enter the U.S. without unnecessary delays.
Théophile Niyitegeka
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/u-s-ends-marburg-related-entry-screening-for-travelers-from-rwanda
