WHO commends Rwanda’s Ebola preparedness efforts

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has commended Rwanda on its ongoing Ebola preparedness efforts and confirmed that no cases of Ebola have been reported from the country to date. For over 11 months, the Ebola epidemic has menaced neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, and the WHO recently declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Over 1,600 people have since died from the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in DR Congo since August 2018. Three victims died in Uganda last month without spreading Ebola further there. Rwanda has never recorded a case in the ongoing epidemic. “Rwanda has been proactive and engaged in Ebola preparedness at all levels since the outbreak was declared almost one year ago in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Tedros. “We commend the actions taken so far and confirm that there have been no cases of Ebola in Rwanda to date, despite high levels of traffic and movement of people between the two countries,” he added. According to the Ministry of Health, Rwanda has established a number of measures to avoid the epidemic coming to the country. Among these, a detailed National Preparedness Plan in place and is training health workers in early detection and response, educating communities about Ebola, vaccinating health workers in high-risk areas, equipping health facilities, and conducting simulation exercises to maintain a high level of readiness. The country has trained 23, 657 people, including medical personnel at various levels, police officers, and Red Cross volunteers in preparation to deal with possible outbreak. Screening for Ebola symptoms at points of entry has been ongoing since the beginning of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and has been reinforced since the confirmation of a case in the Congolese city of Goma. Tens of thousands of people cross the border from Goma to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi each day. People crossing the border have their temperatures checked, wash their hands, and listen to Ebola awareness messages. An Ebola Treatment Centre has been set up in Rwanda and 23 isolation units are being prepared in hospitals in 15 priority districts. Ebola response simulation exercises have been conducted in Kanombe Military Hospital, Gihundwe District Hospital, Kamembe International Airport, and Rugerero Ebola Treatment Centre to test Rwanda’s preparedness in response to a case, which will include Emergency Operations Centre activation, active surveillance, case management and laboratory testing. About 3000 health workers in high-risk areas have been vaccinated as a preventative measure, including more than 1100 in Gisenyi. “Rwanda has made a significant investment in Ebola preparedness,” said Tedros. “But as long as the outbreak continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there is a very real risk of spread to neighbouring countries. We urge the international community to continue supporting this critical work.” The Government has also advised the public to be more vigilant by observing the following tips: • Avoid unnecessary travels to areas affected by an Ebola outbreak. • Immediately report to the nearest screening station if you are coming from an Ebola affected area. • Report any suspected case of Ebola via the Ministry toll free number 114, Police on 112, Community Health Workers or to any nearest health facility. • In case you know someone who is from an Ebola-affected area, immediately report to the Police on 112, to the Ministry of Health on 114, to the nearest local authorities or Community Health Workers. • Avoid contact with blood and body fluids, items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids. • Avoid contact with the body of an Ebola victim and/or meat from an unknown source. • Advise every person who has been in contact with a patient with Ebola symptoms or who attended a burial ceremony of a known case of Ebola to immediately report to the nearest health facility for urgent medical attention. • Always wash hands with soap and clean water. editor@newtimesrwanda.com

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WHO commends Rwanda’s Ebola preparedness efforts