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WHO confirms suspected Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in Tanzania

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WHO confirms suspected Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in Tanzania
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted its Member States about a suspected outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Tanzania’s Kagera region.

The information, disseminated through WHO’s secure Event Information Site (EIS), warns of an acute public health risk with possible regional implications.

Summary of the Situation

The suspected outbreak was reported to WHO on January 10, 2025, following reliable reports from in-country sources.

Nine suspected cases have been identified as of January 11, including eight fatalities, representing a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 89%. The cases span across Biharamulo and Muleba districts.

Patients presented with severe symptoms, including headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, vomiting blood (haematemesis), and, in later stages, external bleeding (haemorrhage).

Samples collected from two patients are currently being tested at the National Public Health Laboratory, and healthcare workers are among the suspected cases, raising concerns about nosocomial transmission.

A Region at Risk

Kagera region, previously affected by an MVD outbreak in March 2023, is considered a high-risk area due to its endemic zoonotic reservoirs, such as fruit bats, which are natural hosts of the Marburg virus.

The 2023 outbreak resulted in nine cases and six deaths over two months.

The region’s strategic location as a transit hub, with significant cross-border movement to neighbouring countries like Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, heightens the risk of regional spread.

Public Health Response

The Tanzanian government has launched a robust response to contain the outbreak, including:

Deploying national rapid response teams to investigate and support containment efforts.

Intensifying surveillance and contact tracing.

Establishing treatment units in Kagera region.

Collecting and testing samples at the National Public Health Laboratory, supplemented by a mobile laboratory in the region.

WHO is also collaborating with local health authorities to enhance readiness capacities at borders and points of entry.

WHO Risk Assessment

WHO has assessed the national and regional risk of this outbreak as high, citing:

A high CFR of 89% among suspected cases.

The involvement of healthcare workers, indicating possible transmission within health facilities.

Delayed detection and isolation, which may have allowed further spread.

Globally, the risk remains low due to the absence of confirmed international cases. However, WHO has called for heightened surveillance and preparedness, given the potential for infected individuals to travel through transportation networks connecting Kagera to Dar es Salaam and beyond.

Prevention and Risk Reduction

WHO has advised several measures to reduce the risk of transmission:

Avoid human-to-human transmission: Limit direct contact with infected individuals, particularly their bodily fluids.

Isolate suspected or confirmed cases in treatment centers for proper care.

Prevent bat-to-human transmission: Avoid prolonged exposure to caves or mines inhabited by fruit bats, and ensure the proper handling and cooking of animal products.

Community precautions: Avoid physical contact with bodies of deceased individuals suspected of having MVD and seek care at health facilities for anyone presenting with symptoms.

About Marburg Virus Disease

Marburg Virus Disease is a highly virulent disease in the same family as Ebola. It is transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or surfaces contaminated by these fluids.

MVD outbreaks are rare but have a high fatality rate, requiring rapid response to prevent widespread transmission.

Call to Action

WHO and Tanzanian authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to recommended preventive measures.

Communities are encouraged to report any suspected cases promptly and cooperate with health workers to help contain the outbreak.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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