WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for the reversal of travel and trade restrictions on Rwanda, emphasizing they are unnecessary given the country’s strong handling of the Marburg virus outbreak. Speaking in Kigali, he noted that WHO’s risk assessment advises against such restrictions, which could harm Rwanda’s economy.
The country launched a nationwide health alert, set up an isolation center, and tested thousands of individuals since the outbreak began. With no new cases reported in the last two weeks, Dr. Tedros highlighted Rwanda’s effective containment measures.
“Rwanda has followed WHO protocols rigorously, and these restrictions on travel and trade are now counterproductive,” Dr. Tedros said.
Rwanda’s remains hopeful that WHO’s support will encourage countries to lift restrictions soon, allowing the nation to resume its economic recovery without external barriers.
For more information on Rwanda’s Marburg response, visit the WHO or Rwandan health ministry websites.
