Imported cases of dengue in Rwanda: A call for One Health integrated surveillance and response system for arboviral...

The true burden of dengue on the African continent is likely underestimated, with approximately 80% of confirmed cases originating from West Africa. In this report, we describe for the first time two imported mild dengue cases detected in travelers returning to Rwanda from Brazil and the Central African Republic. The first case involved a 58-year-old woman from Uganda traveling through Rwanda to Brazil, who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy on June 2, 2024. The second case was a 32-year-old man from Kicukiro District, who sought medical care on September 26, 2024 and exhibited fever and general weakness after visiting the Central African Republic. The traveler from Brazil was infected with dengue virus (DENV)-1, whereas the traveler from Central Africa carried DENV-2. This report underscores the growing risk of dengue being introduced into Rwanda through international travel and highlights the critical need to establish robust cross-border surveillance systems. It calls for improved early detection, active vector monitoring, and the enhancement of national and regional response strategies in line with the International Health Regulations.