Marburg virus disease strategic preparedness and response plan for Rwanda

Overview

Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP), provides a comprehensive framework for coordinated public health preparedness and response to the ongoing MVD outbreak in Rwanda.

The SPRP covers the period from October to December 2024. This initial three-month phase aims to contain the outbreak through a coordinated and multisectoral approach, supported by a budget estimate of USD 11 million. This budget will be directed towards reinforcing WHO and partners' support to the Government of Rwanda’s national response efforts and enhancing core capabilities to respond in neighboring countries.

The SPRP identifies the urgent measures required to support Rwanda’s national response plan. The primary goal of the SPRP is to stop all transmission chains to control the outbreak rapidly. The strategic objectives include to implement optimized supportive care and adequate IPC, inform and engage communities for local action, optimal case investigation and contact tracing, enhance cross-border collaboration, and foster partnerships for a unified and comprehensive response. The plan outlines five key components of the response including surveillance and diagnostics, community protection, safe and scalable care including infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, access to medical countermeasures, including facilitated access to experimental therapeutics and candidate MVD vaccines, and effective coordination to address this public health emergency.

The SPRP details the strategic objectives, response strategies, and operational approaches necessary to strengthen support the Government of Rwanda to manage and control the outbreak, ultimately reducing illness and death, and socioeconomic impact to safeguard the health and dignity of communities across Rwanda and the region.