Rwanda has discharged one more mpox patient, leaving only one individual under hospital surveillance, the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) reports about three weeks after four cases were confirmed in July, all linked to international travel. Two of the four patients fully recovered and were discharged, with the third leaving the hospital recently. The remaining patient is under close medical observation. ALSO READ: WHO issues guidelines for mpox emergency response The Ministry of Health, in partnership with RBC and other relevant bodies, is conducting comprehensive contact tracing and case investigations to prevent further spread of the virus. In addition, enhanced screening protocols were implemented at entry points across the country and in schools to identify any suspected cases early. Julien Niyingabira, the Health Communications Division Manager at RBC, reassured the public that the situation is well-managed. He noted that Rwanda remains a safe destination for residents and visitors, and that stringent precautions are in place to mitigate further transmission of mpox. Niyingabira advised the public to adhere to key preventive measures, including maintaining proper hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer. He urged people to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of mpox—such as rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes—and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise. ALSO READ: Mpox ‘a crisis that demands our collective action’ – Africa CDC boss As misinformation has circulated regarding mpox, Niyingabira cautioned against false reports, including images of individuals with rashes being wrongly identified as mpox cases. He stressed that only lab-confirmed cases should be trusted and that the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) is the sole authorised entity for mpox testing in Rwanda. “All mpox cases have been confirmed through laboratory tests, and in Rwanda, the National Reference Laboratory is fully equipped to handle these tests. We urge the public to disregard any unofficial reports and wait for updates from the Ministry of Health,” he explained. ALSO READ: WHO calls for urgent action to address mpox surge in 17 African nations According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox testing should be offered to individuals who meet the suspected case criteria. Diagnostic confirmation is typically done using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), such as real-time or conventional PCR, on lesion samples. Rwanda continues to collaborate with WHO under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, notifying the organization of any positive cases and sharing relevant genetic sequence data to help track the virus’s spread globally.
