Strengthening Rwanda’s Mpox Response: AFENET Deploys ACoDD Teams to High-Risk Districts

In response to the Mpox outbreak, the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) Rwanda, in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), swiftly deployed 40 members of the AFENET Corps of Disease Detectives (ACoDDs) across 14 high-risk districts, including Kigali City and other sub-national areas. This timely intervention was designed to ensure localized and rapid responses, minimizing the spread and impact of the disease.

Prior to deployment, the ACoDD teams underwent intensive two-day training sessions focusing on epidemiology, surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control (IPC), laboratory procedures, and risk communication. These sessions equipped the teams with essential knowledge and skills to manage the outbreak effectively.

Once in the field, the ACoDDs took a comprehensive approach, supporting community engagement and education, active case identification and investigation, contact tracing, disease surveillance, and assisting healthcare facilities in response efforts. Drawing from their prior experience in tackling other disease outbreaks in Rwanda, the teams worked closely with communities to improve awareness and build trust in the response efforts.

Their work was instrumental in enhancing community-level response mechanisms, promoting rapid detection and containment of Mpox cases, and informing the adaptation of national strategies to manage the outbreak more effectively.

AFENET remains committed to strengthening Rwanda’s public health response capacity through localized, experience-driven, and collaborative action.