Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Kigali

Location:  Rwanda

Event:  On August 1, 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in North Kivu province. Since then, more than 1,900 confirmed and probable cases have been reported in multiple health zones of Congo’s North Kivu and Ituri provinces.

The CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Notice for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ebola is one of the hemorrhagic fever illnesses.  The virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, and handling or washing of infected corpses or through contact with objects that have been in contact with infected secretions.

Actions to Take:

  • Visit the CDC Travel Notice on Ebola in Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has information on this outbreak.
  • Visit the CDC Travelers’ Health Page for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which includes information on Ebola.
  • Review the Rwanda country page for general health information.
  • Continue to take malaria prophylaxis as recommended, as the symptoms of malaria can mimic symptoms of Ebola, leading to preventable health scares.

Assistance:

To unsubscribe from U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for Rwanda, click here.