In an exclusive interview with Rubanda newspaper, Julien Mahoro Niyingabira, a media officer at the Ministry of Health, detailed the transmission and prevention of Monkeypox amid growing concerns about its spread.
Niyingabira explained that Monkeypox primarily spreads through direct contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids. “The disease can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse, kissing, or shaking hands with an infected individual,” he noted.
During the interview, the journalist inquired whether additional measures would be necessary if infection rates continued to rise. Niyingabira responded by emphasizing the capacity and preparedness of Rwanda’s health institutions.
“Monkeypox is one of the pox diseases that exist both in Rwanda and globally,” Niyingabira stated. “All information regarding patients across the country will be communicated by the relevant authorities that initially reported the disease.”
Niyingabira reassured the public about the existing preventive measures, saying, “Let’s not focus on what measures the government will take. You saw that even the Covid prevention decisions went through the Cabinet. We cannot speak for those authorities. 
However, when you consider the severity of this disease and the way our institutions are structured, you can see that today we have the capability, both in hospitals and in collaboration with government agencies and citizens, to prevent this disease without necessarily imposing severe measures.”
Since 2022, over 100,000 cases of Monkeypox have been reported worldwide, with Africa being the hardest hit. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen the highest number of cases, with 11,000 diagnoses and 445 deaths this year alone.
The Ministry of Health advises anyone exhibiting symptoms of Monkeypox to seek medical attention immediately. Individuals are also urged to report their condition to the relevant authorities and inform them of any potential contacts who may have been exposed, ensuring that those individuals receive appropriate care.
As Rwanda continues to monitor the situation, the Ministry remains committed to preventing the spread of Monkeypox and safeguarding public health through effective communication and collaboration.
