Tavel Restrictions with Rwanda are Ineffective and Unnecessary

In a rebuttal to recent U.S. government policy, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, 'At this time, travel and trade restrictions are ineffective and unnecessary for the control of the ongoing outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the Republic of Rwanda and are potentially harmful to the affected societies and economies.'

'In addition, travel and trade restrictions may act as a disincentive for rapidly sharing public health data and information with and amongst the global health community, which is critical for informed outbreak response.

The U.S. CDC stated on October 7, 2024, 'Reconsider nonessential travel to Rwanda, which is experiencing an outbreak of MVD.'

Since September 27, 2024, when the Rwanda Ministry of Health confirmed the country's first outbreak of MVD, 61 cases and 14 related deaths have been reported.

As of October 11, 2024, no approved MVD vaccines exist, but experimental vaccines are being tested in Rwanda.