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Africa

Africa: Rwanda Launches Event-Based Surveillance Guidelines

todayOctober 10, 2024 3

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The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) has introduced a new set of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) guidelines designed to enhance the country’s public health response amidst the ongoing mpox outbreak.

Rwanda adapted the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)’s revised EBS framework published in 2023. The guidelines were finalized, approved, and launched during a convening led by RBC at the Onomo Hotel from September 9 -12, 2024.

The initiative aims to improve Rwanda’s ability to detect and respond to public health events, including mpox and other health emergencies.

“The launch of the EBS guidelines is a pivotal step in our fight against the mpox outbreak and represents a significant advancement in our commitment to safeguarding public health,” said Adeline Kabeja, Director of Surveillance at the RBC. “This initiative will enhance our ability to detect and respond to health events, while also strengthening Rwanda’s position as a leader in proactive health management and contributing to global health security,” she said.

The guidelines focus on enhanced detection using the eCEBS, an indigenous system that will be upgraded to Imprunza system, and the Event Management System (EMS).

The EBS systems will integrate various methods to monitor health events. Community-Based Surveillance will gather information from local communities through Community Health Workers and LOOKOUTS. Facility Event-Based Surveillance will collect data from healthcare, veterinary facilities, and pharmacies, among other sources. Media-Based Surveillance will track news and social media for health reports. Hotlines will capture public health signals via dedicated phone lines. The guidelines also emphasize multisectoral One Health coordination and cross border collaboration in improving information exchange across sectors and borders respectively.

“These guidelines will be invaluable beyond the mpox outbreak as they establish a robust framework for rapid detection, assessment, and response to a wide range of health threats. By leveraging event-based surveillance methods, such as media monitoring, community reports, and hotline systems, we can enhance our preparedness and responsiveness for future outbreaks, ensuring a more resilient public health system,” said Kabeja.

Partners, including Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), and various non-governmental organizations have strongly endorsed Rwanda’s initiative. Their support underscores the collaborative effort required to ensure the success of the EBS and to manage the mpox outbreak effectively.