The Rwandan Ministry of Health is implementing GPS tracking to monitor bat movements as part of its strategy to prevent zoonotic diseases. This initiative follows the conclusion of the Marburg virus outbreak, with a focus on collaborative efforts across multiple sectors and the ecological importance of bats.
The Rwandan Ministry of Health has announced its intention to implement advanced technologies, such as GPS tracking, to monitor bat populations in order to enhance surveillance and prevention measures against zoonotic diseases. This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, during a media briefing on December 20, where he officially proclaimed the conclusion of the Marburg virus outbreak in the country.
Genomic sequencing revealed that the Marburg virus was transmitted from fruit bats to humans in a mining cave. “We will begin, in the coming weeks, to track and understand the migrations and movements of bats. We will keep you updated on our surveillance efforts and aim to detect outbreaks before they reach our hospitals,” stated Minister Nsanzimana.
The Minister highlighted the importance of monitoring bat interactions with humans, particularly emphasizing February and August as critical periods when bats are more likely to shed viruses. “We will focus on collecting more samples from bats in mining areas during these months,” he added. A dedicated team known as the ‘batmen’ has been organized to undertake this surveillance initiative to protect public health and contribute to global scientific knowledge.
Minister Nsanzimana also reminded the public that addressing zoonotic disease transmission requires collaboration across various sectors, as it is not solely a health issue but encompasses agriculture and animal resources as well. He asserted the need to create safer environments to minimize human-bat interactions, which are often exacerbated by ecosystem disruptions.
Acknowledging the ecological role of bats, he stated, “Some of these bats eat insects that could lead to outbreaks like malaria. They are useful to our lives, our culture, and even in preventing other outbreaks.” The Minister revealed that over 50 locations with bat populations have been identified, along with advisory signs to prevent miners from encountering bats.
Dr. Brian Chirombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Rwanda, reiterated the importance of learning from the recent Marburg outbreak, emphasizing the strengthening of international health regulation capacities to build robust health systems. He advocated for the One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health by stating, “The outbreak underscored the critical importance of the One Health approach. By integrating efforts across sectors, we can more efficiently prevent, detect, and respond to health threats,” he remarked.
The integration of technology, particularly GPS tracking, into wildlife management is becoming increasingly necessary to monitor the migration patterns and behaviors of species such as bats, which are known vectors for zoonotic diseases. The Marburg virus case in Rwanda has highlighted the importance of understanding the transmission pathways from animal reservoirs to humans. The Rwandan government is proactively addressing public health by developing strategies to monitor and manage bats, which may impact zoonotic disease transmission during critical times of the year.
In summary, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health is set to adopt GPS tracking to enhance the monitoring of bats, aiming to prevent zoonotic diseases following the recent Marburg virus outbreak. By focusing on collaborative efforts across various sectors and recognizing bats’ ecological contributions, the Rwandan government is taking a comprehensive approach to protect public health while understanding the dynamics of wildlife interactions. The One Health approach emphasizes the need for integrated health systems to effectively respond to future health threats.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
