Tanzania Confirms Marburg Virus Outbreak in Kagera Region
Tanzania has identified an outbreak of the Marburg virus in the northwestern Kagera region, with one patient testing positive for the deadly illness. President Samia Suluhu Hassan made the news at a press briefing in Dodoma, with World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
According to President Hassan, the positive case was confirmed by laboratory tests in Kagera and then validated in Dar es Salaam. "Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative," she told me. As of January 20, 2025, there were 25 suspected instances, with all persons testing negative and under close surveillance. These incidents occurred in Kagera's Biharamulo district.
The president reassured the public and the international world about Tanzania's ability to control such outbreaks, citing previous achievements in containing such events. "We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around," according to her.
The Marburg virus is highly contagious and produces hemorrhagic fever, which manifests as high fever, severe headache, and malaise. It can quickly lead to serious bleeding signs. Fruit bats and direct contact with infected individuals' bodily fluids are the modes of transmission for this virus. While there are no legal vaccines or therapies for Marburg, early supportive care, such as rehydration, can increase survival rates.
WHO is actively assisting Tanzanian health officials with crucial outbreak management measures, including as illness surveillance, testing, and public awareness campaigns. Dr. Tedros emphasised the significance of global collaboration, saying, "Now is the time for collaboration and commitment to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania and the region."
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasised the necessity of the government's prompt response and limiting cross-border spread. "Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population," Dr Moeti said.
This is the second Marburg outbreak in Tanzania. The first occurred in March 2023 in the same Kagera region, with nine cases and six deaths. The country's previous experience has bolstered its capacity to control this outbreak efficiently.
Dr. Tedros also announced WHO's financial support, allocating $3 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies to Tanzania's efforts. He told the public that there is no need for travel or trade restrictions, citing Tanzania's robust reaction capacity.