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Rwagasore E, Nsekuye O, El-Khatib Z, Kabeja A, Mucunguzi VH, Nizeyimana P, Ruseesa E, Ruyange L, Teta IB, Uwamahoro S, Twahirwa S, Mugawaneza D, Ishema L, Shema H, Rutagengwa A, Ndagijimana V, Itanga I, Kapiteni A, Benimana JL, Niyoyita JC, Rwagitinywa B, Muvunyi CM. Lessons Learned from Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SUDV) Preparedness in Rwanda: A Comprehensive Review and Way Forward. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2023; 13:528-538. [PMID: 37369978 PMCID: PMC10469131 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-023-00133-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a severe and often fatal illness that affects humans and has significant public health implications, including high mortality rates, strain on healthcare systems, and social and economic disruption. On 20 September 2022, Uganda declared an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Sudan ebolavirus species. The neighboring countries of Uganda were classified by World Health Organization (WHO) as being at high risk of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SUDV) importation. The country of Rwanda implemented different sustainable strategies and activities to prepare and ensure a timely and effective response to SUDV outbreaks once it has arrived in the country. We aimed to highlight the sustainable strategies and activities implemented for SUDV preparedness and the subsequent lessons learnt in Rwanda. METHODS This paper reviewed the documentation on activities implemented for SUDV preparedness, with a focus on lessons learned from different countries. The paper analyzed the common themes and highlighted the key components of EVD preparedness in Rwanda after declaration of SUDV outbreak in Uganda. RESULTS The key components of SUDV preparedness include its readiness assessment in Rwanda, effective coordination, collaboration and leadership mechanisms, enhancing the early detection and surveillance system, effective risk communication and community engagement, capacity building of healthcare providers on case management and infection prevention and control (IPC), and continual preparedness. These components were essential to ensure timely and effective preparation and response to SUDV related outbreaks. CONCLUSION A multi-sectoral approach involving all stakeholders was necessary to ensure timely and effective preparation and response. Continuous investment in preparedness, strengthening of health systems, and the review of preparedness components provided insights into the best practices for SUDV preparedness, which were essential to prevent future outbreaks and minimize their impact. This will inform other countries about the role of timely development of preparedness plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson Rwagasore
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda.
| | - Olivier Nsekuye
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Ziad El-Khatib
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Solna, Sweden.
- Bill and Joyce Cumming Institute of Global Health, University of Global Health Equity, 6955, Kigali, Rwanda.
| | - Adeline Kabeja
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Valois H Mucunguzi
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Pacifique Nizeyimana
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Edward Ruseesa
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Laurent Ruyange
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Isabelle B Teta
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Sandrine Uwamahoro
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Solange Twahirwa
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Denyse Mugawaneza
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Leandre Ishema
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Hugor Shema
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Alfred Rutagengwa
- World Health Organization Rwanda Country Office, P.O. Box 1324, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Valens Ndagijimana
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Ines Itanga
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Alexis Kapiteni
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jean Luc Benimana
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jean Claude Niyoyita
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Bruce Rwagitinywa
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Claude Mambo Muvunyi
- Public Health Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (PHS&EPR), Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), P.O. Box 7162, Kigali, Rwanda
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