WHO Confirms Suspected Marburg Virus Outbreak in Tanzania, Eight Dead
Highly fatal virus spreads through direct contact, with risk of further transmission in East Africa.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a suspected outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in Tanzania, resulting in at least eight deaths.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, nine suspected cases have been identified in two districts of the Kagera region in northwestern Tanzania. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that more cases could emerge as disease surveillance efforts improve.
Testing and Containment Measures Underway
Samples from two patients have been collected and are undergoing testing at Tanzania’s national laboratory to confirm the outbreak. Meanwhile, health authorities have begun tracking and monitoring individuals who came into contact with the infected, including healthcare workers.
Due to Kagera’s position as a key transit hub with frequent cross-border travel to neighboring Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, WHO has classified the risk of further spread in the region as "high." However, the global risk remains "low" at this time.
Deadly Virus with No Cure
The Marburg virus belongs to the same family as Ebola and causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate of up to 88%. It is transmitted to humans through fruit bats and can spread between people via direct contact with bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, or infected materials such as bedding and clothing.
Currently, there are no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg, making containment efforts crucial.
Recent Outbreaks in Africa
This latest outbreak follows a recent Marburg epidemic in Equatorial Guinea, where at least 66 people were infected and 15 died before the virus was declared under control. Health officials remain on high alert as they work to prevent a similar situation in Tanzania.
The WHO continues to coordinate response efforts, urging strict infection control measures to curb the spread of the virus.