The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about a suspected outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Tanzania’s Kagera region. The outbreak has affected nine individuals, with eight reported fatalities, resulting in a case fatality rate of 89%.
The alert comes just weeks after a similar outbreak was declared over in neighboring Rwanda. WHO revealed it received credible reports on January 10, 2025, regarding suspected cases in Kagera.
Initially, six individuals were reported infected, five of whom succumbed to the virus. By January 11, the number of suspected cases had risen to nine, spread across the Biharamulo and Muleba districts.
Affected individuals exhibited common MVD symptoms, including:
- Severe headache
- High fever
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
- Malaise (body weakness)
- External hemorrhage (bleeding from orifices) in later stages.
Testing and Monitoring Efforts
Samples from two patients have been collected and are being tested at Tanzania’s National Public Health Laboratory to confirm the outbreak. WHO stated that patient contacts, including healthcare workers, have been identified and are under close observation.
“Samples from two patients have been collected and tested by the National Public Health Laboratory. Results are pending official confirmation,” WHO noted.
This suspected outbreak follows a recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, which borders Kagera. The Rwandan outbreak, declared over on December 20, 2024, affected 66 individuals and resulted in 15 deaths.
Tanzania’s Kagera region also experienced a Marburg outbreak in March 2023, claiming six lives and lasting nearly two months.
Marburg virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated objects like clothing and bedding. The high fatality rate and ease of transmission pose significant health concerns for Tanzania and neighboring countries, including Kenya.
WHO has assessed the global risk level as low, with no confirmed international spread of the disease at this stage. However, the organization expressed concerns about potential regional risks given the outbreak’s proximity to national borders.
Authorities and health agencies are on high alert as they work to confirm the outbreak and mitigate its spread.
