Kagame, WHO boss discuss collabo in containment of Marburg virus in Rwanda
Saturday, October 05, 2024
President Paul Kagame meets Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization in Paris, on Saturday, October 5. Photo by Village Urugwiro

On the sidelines of the Francophonie Summit, in Paris, President Paul Kagame on Saturday, October 5, met with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

"They discussed the ongoing successful collaboration in the tracking and containment of the Marburg virus in Rwanda as well as ways to enhance disease control and prevention," the President's Office posted on X.

Rwanda is intensifying efforts including contact tracing as well as screening travelers at Kigali International Airport (KIA) to prevent potential export of Marburg virus disease cases, health minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said on Thursday, October 3.

ALSO READ: 80% of Marburg cases are healthcare workers, says minister

He made the observation during a press briefing, on the Marburg outbreak, co-hosted by the Director-General of Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya. Nsanzimana was commenting on surveillance to address international spread of the virus, and policy regarding international travel.

ALSO READ: Marburg virus: Gilead confirms remdesivir drug donation to Rwanda

Nsanzimana said that – since Marburg virus outbreak on September 27 – the country put in place mechanisms to extend its contact tracing of Marburg virus cases and make sure "we quarantine and test” them on a regular basis.

ALSO READ: Explainer: The origin of Marburg virus, name and nature

Rwanda is collaborating with the World Health Organisation to speed up clinical trials and secure much-needed vaccines.