The Epidemic Surveillance and Response Division has a cross-cutting role in the area of surveillance and response for high priority diseases.

Each unit under the Epidemic Surveillance and Response (ESR) Division has a specific role in disease detection and response. Because of the very nature of infectious diseases and the interaction between environment, animal health, and human health, the ESR division often has a role to play with other ministries and organizations including those across national borders.

The Surveillance unit is responsible for planning, organizing and conducting trainings and situation reports for disease surveillance. The unit identifies needs and priorities for the integrated disease surveillance system and produces weekly publication of the epidemiological bulletin.

The Avian Influenza and Highly Pathogenic Diseases unit plans, organizes and implements activities in case of outbreaks of Avian Influenza and other highly pathogenic diseases and conducts trainings for sentinel site surveillance officers and focal points.

The Food and Waterborne Diseases unit develops policies and guidelines and provides information in control and prevention of food and waterborne diseases.

The Outbreak Preparedness and Response unit aids in outbreak management and emergency preparedness and response and disseminates outbreak investigation findings at all concerned levels.

Vision: To enhance early detection, reporting and timely response to epidemic prone diseases and other priority diseases in Rwanda.
Mission: To prevent and control epidemic diseases and other public health emergencies in Rwanda by implementing efficient Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) which is a comprehensive regional framework for strengthening national public health surveillance and response at all levels of the health system.

Dr José Nyamusore
Division Manager
Epidemic Surveillance and Response
Tel: +250 788467187
Email: jose.nyamusore@rbc.gov.rw

There are currently 24 priority diseases under the division's surveillance.