The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a suspected outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in Tanzania’s northwest Kagera region. Nine cases have been identified, with eight fatalities reported so far. This alarming development comes weeks after a neighboring outbreak in Rwanda was declared over in December 2024.
The Marburg virus, a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever from the same family as the Ebola virus, poses a fatality rate of up to 88%. Endemic to parts of East Africa, the virus is primarily transmitted to humans through fruit bats. Once infected, the disease can spread among people via direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials such as bedding and clothing.
The WHO received reports of suspected cases on January 10, with patients exhibiting symptoms such as severe headache, high fever, muscle weakness, diarrhea, vomiting blood, and external bleeding. Samples from two patients are currently undergoing testing at Tanzania’s national laboratory for confirmation.
Authorities have identified the patients’ contacts, including healthcare workers, and are closely monitoring them to prevent further spread. The current outbreak follows a similar incident in March 2023 in the same region, which resulted in six deaths over two months.
Rwanda, which borders Tanzania’s Kagera region, also faced an outbreak in 2024 that affected 66 individuals and claimed 15 lives before being contained.
This outbreak underscores the critical need for enhanced surveillance, early diagnosis, and rapid response measures to curb the spread of Marburg virus. Public health agencies are urging strict adherence to infection control protocols and raising awareness about the virus to mitigate its impact.
The situation remains under close monitoring, and WHO continues to support Tanzanian health authorities in their containment efforts.
