On October 11, President Paul Kagame held a crucial meeting with Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The discussions centered on Rwanda’s readiness to tackle the ongoing Marburg virus outbreak, and the collaborative efforts needed to contain its spread effectively.
A statement from the President’s Office, shared on X, highlighted the significance of their dialogue, which focused on developing innovative strategies to enhance disease prevention across the continent. They also emphasized the importance of increasing local capacity for manufacturing vaccines and medical supplies, recognizing that self-sufficiency in healthcare is vital for Africa’s resilience against outbreaks.
Dr. Kaseya, present in Rwanda to participate in the AfCFTA Business Forum, expressed his concerns regarding the recent travel advisory issued by the US. He labeled the decision as unjust and inappropriate, as it may adversely affect Rwanda’s tourism and economic activities. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a level 3 travel notice for Rwanda on October 8, along with plans to implement screening for travelers arriving from the country starting next week.
During an online press conference on October 10, Dr. Kaseya reassured the public that Rwanda’s proactive measures have significantly minimized the risk of exporting the Marburg virus. “From what I observed in Rwanda, the risk of spreading the virus is nearly zero. While I can’t guarantee absolute certainty, I am 95 percent confident that there is minimal risk of Rwanda transmitting the disease outside its borders,” he stated, reinforcing the effectiveness of the country’s response strategies.
In a significant commitment to public health, the Africa CDC announced on August 17 its ambitious goal to deliver 10 million doses of mpox vaccines across Africa by 2025. This initiative underscores the urgent need to combat the mpox outbreak, which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by the Africa CDC and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Moreover, last year marked the establishment of BioNTech’s first African production site in Kigali, Rwanda. This facility is a strategic part of efforts to enhance the manufacturing capacity of mRNA vaccines on the continent. Nestled in the Kigali Special Economic Zone in the Gasabo District, the facility spans approximately 300,000 square meters and is dedicated to advancing biopharmaceutical production, signifying a pivotal step towards greater health security in Africa.
