Suspected Marburg Virus Outbreak in Northwest Tanzania Claims Eight Lives
A suspected Marburg virus outbreak in northwest Tanzania has left eight people dead and infected another, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. The cases emerged weeks after Rwanda declared its own outbreak over in December.
The Marburg virus, part of the same family as Ebola, is a highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever. With a fatality rate of up to 88%, the disease is primarily transmitted to humans through fruit bats, which are common in East Africa.
Symptoms of Marburg Virus and WHO Response
On 10 January, the WHO received reliable reports of suspected cases in Tanzania’s Kagera region. Patients exhibited symptoms such as severe headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, vomiting blood, muscle weakness, and external bleeding.
Currently, samples from two patients await confirmation at Tanzania’s national laboratory. In the meantime, WHO has identified and is closely monitoring contacts, including healthcare workers, to contain any further spread.
Previous Outbreaks in the Region
Rwanda, which shares a border with Kagera, battled its own Marburg outbreak in 2023. That outbreak infected 66 people and resulted in 15 deaths before being declared over on 20 December.
In March 2023, an outbreak in Kagera killed six individuals and lasted nearly two months. The virus is known to spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or through contaminated materials like bedding or clothing.
Vigilance Amid a Regional Threat
The recent cases underscore the ongoing threat Marburg virus poses to public health in East Africa. Prompt action, including robust monitoring and testing, remains crucial in preventing further spread of this deadly disease.
