Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), held talks on October 11 to address Rwanda’s preparedness against the Marburg virus and efforts to strengthen disease prevention across the continent. The discussions also covered plans to expand Africa’s capacity for producing vaccines and medical equipment, according to a statement from the Rwandan Presidency.
Dr. Kaseya, who was in Rwanda for the AfCFTA Business Forum “Biashara Afrika 2024,” expressed concern over the U.S. issuing a level 3 travel notice to Rwanda due to the Marburg outbreak, calling it “unfair and unacceptable.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the advisory on October 8 and stated that next week it would begin screening travelers from Rwanda.
Kaseya, however, reassured that Rwanda is at minimal risk of exporting the virus. “What I saw in Rwanda shows almost zero risk,” he said during an online press conference on October 10. “While we can’t say 100 percent, I am 95 percent confident that Rwanda will not spread the disease internationally.”
Africa CDC is also focusing on addressing the mpox outbreak across the continent, committing to deliver 10 million mpox vaccine doses by 2025. This comes after the outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by Africa CDC and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.
In a related development, BioNTech, a German biotechnology company, opened its first African site in Kigali last year to support the production of mRNA vaccines. The facility, located in Kigali’s Special Economic Zone, spans 300,000 square meters and is part of efforts to enhance Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
