Rwanda has taken a significant step forward by launching its EBS guidelines, focusing on enhancing early detection through local innovations such as the upgraded eCEBS system—now known as the Impuruza system—and the Event Management System (EMS). This initiative aims to strengthen the country’s capacity for early detection and response to public health threats, including Mpox, Marburg virus, and other health emergencies.
We commend the official inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for EBS in Rwanda. Our role has been to support the country in reviewing and advancing its EBS program, in collaboration with Africa CDC, AFENET and Jhpiego to reinforce the national public health surveillance system.
From June 2025, we actively participate in Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions for surveillance personnel from various health facilities. Rwanda continues to demonstrate outstanding commitment and efficiency in outbreak detection and control. Our focus was on strengthening Early Warning, Alert, and Response (EWAR) systems through the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) approach. As part of this effort, we organized and conducted cascade trainings across the four key EBS sectors
We emphasized the role of EBS and Epidemic Intelligence (EI) during pandemics, highlighting key actions: Early detection before local transmission – Monitoring introduction and community spread – Tracking emerging variants and affected populations – Evaluating interventions (e.g., vaccines, restrictions, AEFI) – Supporting transition from emergency to routine surveillance
This initiative also allowed us to reflect on the lessons learned from Rwanda’s 2024 Marburg outbreak. We contributed to expanding Epidemic Intelligence, a centralized system that continuously collects, analyzes, and visualizes data from both Indicator-Based Surveillance and Event-Based Surveillance sources. This integrated approach helps reduce delays in outbreak detection and expands surveillance beyond pre-defined diseases and sectors.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Health for adopting the Africa CDC EBS Framework, which is now being implemented at national, provincial, district, sector, and community levels.
Special thanks to RBC, AFENET and Jhpiego for supporting this initiative through the One Health Approach, fostering integrated surveillance across human, animal, and environmental health as recommended by the One Health Approach for Conservation(OHAC) – Gorilla Health.
One Health in Action: “I continue my journey in training current and future health professionals from across Rwanda’s health facilities in the One Health approach—addressing a broad range of risks including those related to humans, animals, the environment, as well as foodborne, and natural hazards”.
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