What You Need To Know
The below CDC HAN provides information on a current outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease in Rwanda with the potential for travel-related/imported cases to occur. As always, international travel history is an important part of patient triage since early identification of Marburg and other viral hemorrhagic fevers is essential to provide appropriate patient care and prevent the spread of infection. Patients with exposure risk factors and symptoms compatible with Marburg Virus Disease should be isolated and the local health department should be notified immediately.
Healthcare employers and organizations that sponsor healthcare personnel for international work should in particular review and follow the Interim Recommendations for Public Health Management of U.S.-based Healthcare Personnel returning from Rwanda. A key change is the recommendation that personnel who have been present in a healthcare facility (including outpatient settings or traditional healers) in Rwanda, should be excluded from work duties in a U.S. healthcare facility until 21 days after their last presence in a healthcare facility in Rwanda.
Sponsoring organizations and/or healthcare facilities in N.J. should notify the local health department (LHD) of returning healthcare personnel who have been present in a Rwanda healthcare facility (including outpatient settings or traditional healers) in the previous 21 days.
LHDs should notify CDS if they become aware of returning healthcare personnel from Rwanda. CDS will provide separate guidance on risk assessment and monitoring in the event that a healthcare worker returning from Rwanda is identified in their jurisdiction.