CDC says it will test travelers from Rwanda

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Rwanda due to an outbreak of the Marburg virus.  

Marburg virus disease, or MVD, is a serious, often fatal disease. The virus causes a severe viral hemorrhagic fever, according to the World Health Organization. 

It was first detected in 1967 during twin outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia. 

The Republic of Rwanda’s Ministry of Health reported cases of the virus in seven districts around the country on Sept. 27, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in its press release.  

“The United States is taking a whole of government approach, working in partnership with the government of Rwanda, WHO, Africa CDC, and other international partners to support the response to the MVD outbreak,” the government agency said.  

To inform travelers about the potential risks, including health-related outbreaks, the CDC publishes Travel Health Notices on its website. Ranging from a Level 1 to a Level 4, these notices are used to inform people about the status of the country they choose to travel to.  

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Rwanda is currently at a Level 3 which is defined by the CDC as an area to “reconsider nonessential travel”. “The outbreak or event poses (a) risk to travelers because limited precautions are available,” the notice said.  

“Currently, the risk of MVD in the United States is low; however, clinicians should be aware of the potential for imported cases,” the CDC said. 

However, the government agency said that starting the week of Oct. 14, they will “begin public health entry screening of travelers entering the United States who have been in Rwanda in the past 21 days.”  

“The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a plan to begin public health entry screening at three U.S. airports for people coming from the Republic of Rwanda to reduce the risk of importation of Marburg virus disease into the United States,” Rosa Norman, a CDC spokesperson, said in a statement to USA TODAY.  

“Airline passengers who have been in Rwanda in the last 21 days will have their travel to the United States rerouted to Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), and Washington DC (IAD) where these travelers will undergo public health entry screening upon arrival,” Norman said.  

The screening is an effort to reduce the risk of spread of the virus within the United States, the CDC said.  

“Currently, Rwanda is experiencing an outbreak of Marburg, a rare, severe viral hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola,” Norman said.

Here is what you need to know about the Marburg virus.  

How many cases of the Marburg virus were reported in Rwanda?

According to the latest information from the Ministry of Health in Rwanda provided on Oct. 7, there are 56 reported cases of the Marburg virus. So far, 12 deaths have been reported.  

Is there a vaccine for the Marburg virus?

There is currently no approved treatments or vaccines for the Marburg virus, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy said.  

The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response said that the government agency has invested about $365 million to create a vaccine and antibody treatment for the Marburg virus. 

The government agency told USA TODAY that the vaccination and treatment has begun in Rwanda. This clinical trial was approved by Rwandan Regulatory and Ethics Authorities, the agency said.  

How deadly is the Marburg virus?

The average fatality rate, according to the WHO, is about 50%. Depending on the strain of the virus and the nature of the outbreak and public health measures, the death rate can range between about 25% and 90%. 

What are the symptoms of the Marburg virus?

The CDC says that the symptoms of the Marburg virus “can be (like) other tropical diseases” which can make the diagnosis challenging.  

The government agency said the initial symptoms of the virus are: 

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Rash with both flat and raised bumps, often on the torso
• Chest pain
• Sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

More severe symptoms of the Marburg virus include:  

• Liver failure
• Delirium
• Shock
• Bleeding
• Multi-organ dysfunction

How can you prevent the Marburg virus?

The CDC says you can prevent the Marburg virus by avoiding:  

• Contact with blood and body fluids of people who are sick
• Contact with semen from a person who recovered from Marburg until the test shows that the virus is no longer present
• Items that may have been near an infected person’s body fluids
• Contact with Egyptian Rousette bats and non-human primates if in areas where Marburg is found

Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.