CDC Initiates Health Screening for Travelers from Rwanda Amid Marburg Virus Outbreak
The CDC will begin screening travelers from Rwanda for the Marburg virus on October 14, 2024, following a confirmed outbreak in the country. This action aims to reduce the risk of the virus entering the U.S. This comes as Rwanda reports 56 confirmed cases and 12 deaths associated with the virus. Travelers will go through screenings at designated airports in the U.S., and a travel health notice has been issued to discourage unnecessary trips to Rwanda.
In a proactive response to the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday that travelers arriving from Rwanda will undergo health screenings upon entering the United States, beginning the week of October 14, 2024. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services clarified that this measure aims to minimize the risk of importing Marburg cases into the country and to prevent potential spread among U.S. communities. As reported, Rwanda has confirmed 56 Marburg cases, with 12 fatalities and 36 individuals currently receiving treatment in isolation. During the screening process, travelers will be directed to three major U.S. airports: Chicago O’Hare, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. At these locations, CDC personnel will conduct temperature checks and inquire about other symptoms associated with the disease, such as sore throat, vomiting, and rashes. Symptoms can manifest between two and 21 days following exposure to the virus, which is characterized by hemorrhagic fevers akin to Ebola virus. The CDC’s measures come in tandem with a travel health notice, which encourages individuals to avoid unnecessary travel to Rwanda while advising anyone who must travel to monitor their health closely for a 21-day period. The advisory stresses that if travelers exhibit symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, or unexplained bleeding, they should isolate themselves and seek immediate medical attention. Although the potential risk to the American public remains low, the CDC has taken these precautionary actions to ensure safety and vigilance.
The Marburg virus is a formidable pathogen that causes severe hemorrhagic fever, sharing similarities in its clinical presentation and mode of transmission with the Ebola virus. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the Marburg virus, and it poses a significant public health threat due to its high mortality rate, which can reach up to 88%. With an ongoing outbreak in Rwanda leading to multiple confirmed cases and fatalities, U.S. health officials are engaged in strategic interventions, emphasizing the importance of monitoring incoming travelers from affected regions to safeguard public health in the United States. The prompt decision by the CDC to implement entry screenings reflects an awareness of the potential implications of international travel during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
In summary, the CDC is set to implement entry screenings for travelers from Rwanda beginning October 14, 2024, in light of escalating cases of the Marburg virus in that country. With confirmed cases and a significant death toll reported, health authorities aim to mitigate the risk of the virus entering the United States. The agency’s recommendations highlight the importance of monitoring health symptoms post-travel and seeking medical intervention when necessary. Through these measures, the CDC strives to protect public health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases within the U.S.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
