Emergence of the first molecularly confirmed outbreak of Rift Valley fever among humans in Rwanda, calls for institutionalizing the One Health strategy

Abstract

Here, we report the investigation, molecular confirmation, and response to the first outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) among humans throughout the country in Rwanda in 2022. RVF is a mosquito-borne zoonotic arbovirus that is mainly prevalent in Africa. However, severely limited information is available about the disease among humans in the country. We confirmed 173 human cases of RVF, including 22 deaths, using molecular tools (polymerase chain reaction). Male patients were three times more frequently infected than females and most of the case were reported from the eastern borders of the country. The high case fatality rate (13 %) suggests delay in the detection and the provision of supportive case management; it could also be attributed to the possibility that the local population is naïve to the virus. This urges the implementation of a transdisciplinary One Health strategy for the preparedness, prevention, surveillance, and control of arboviruses and their vectors to protect humans and animals in the country. To successfully do this, additional evidence is needed to inform policy, national strategy, and guide the implementation of effective intervention. Therefore, we recommend further entomologic studies and genomics analysis to identify the competent vectors and characterize the virus and its dynamics in the region.