Tanzania and the World Health Organisation confirmed on Monday the outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom confirms outbreak of Marburg virus.File Picture : WHO
Tanzania and the World Health Organisation confirmed on Monday the outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region. The announcement was made by President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan alongside WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma. This follows one case testing positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
WHO said that Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. “Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.”
WHO added that Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. “Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival.”
President Hassan said that laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. “Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative.We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
Hassan added that a total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up. “The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.”
Hassan said that they have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease. “WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.”
Dr Tedros said that WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Dr Tedros added that the declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population.”
WHO said that Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
WHO added that in the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
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