USAID activates Response Team to assist Rwanda in Marburg outbreak

USA—The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has swiftly activated a specialized Marburg Outbreak Response Team to assist Rwanda in addressing the ongoing Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak.

 This response is aimed at providing much-needed disease response and preparedness support.

Marburg is a rare but severe viral hemorrhagic fever, closely related to Ebola.

The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person or someone who has succumbed to the disease.

Following the activation of the response team, USAID has committed US$1.35 million in pre-positioned outbreak response funding to support Rwanda’s efforts in managing the crisis.

The allocated funds are being used to address critical gaps in areas such as disease surveillance, contact tracing, case management, risk communication, and community engagement.

Additionally, the funding supports infection prevention and control measures, diagnostics, operations and logistics, safe and dignified burials, and screening at points of entry to prevent further spread.

This mobilization comes just days after Rwanda’s Ministry of Health confirmed the September 27, 2024 outbreak.

Although no confirmed cases have been reported outside Rwanda, the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has called for a coordinated regional response to prevent the virus from spreading to neighbouring countries.

USAID has also dispatched essential supplies from its outbreak response stockpile to boost Rwanda’s efforts.

These include diagnostics for Marburg, along with accessories for conducting 288 tests, 2,500 sample collection media for transporting biological samples, and 500 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health workers.

In collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, USAID is working closely with international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The agency is also engaging local partners to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the outbreak.

Additionally, USAID supports preparedness activities in neighbouring countries to minimize the risk of cross-border transmission.

As part of the ongoing effort to contain the virus, the U.S. government has introduced additional precautionary measures for travellers arriving from Rwanda.

To mitigate the risk of Marburg spreading through air travel, a select number of passengers entering specific U.S. airports will undergo entry screening and follow-up procedures.

According to USAID, the global health security work the U.S. has supported for more than two decades is key to managing such outbreaks.

Continued preparedness between crises remains essential to preventing and responding to infectious disease threats globally.

The Biden-Harris Administration has reaffirmed its commitment to working with national, regional, and global partners to protect public health worldwide while safeguarding Americans both at home and abroad.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and  insights from Africa and the World HERE