The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday that a suspected outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in Tanzania has resulted in eight fatalities, cautioning that the risk of further spread within the country and the region remains “high.” The UN health agency informed its member states on Monday about a “suspected Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in the Kagera region” of Tanzania. “We are currently aware of nine cases, including eight deaths. As disease surveillance improves, we anticipate identifying additional cases in the coming days,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared on social media platform X.
“WHO is fully committed to assisting the Tanzanian government and the affected communities.”
This announcement follows less than a month after WHO declared the end of a three-month Marburg outbreak in neighboring Rwanda, which claimed 15 lives.
Marburg virus causes a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever, transmitted by fruit bats, and belongs to the same virus family as Ebola. With a fatality rate that can reach up to 90%, Marburg fever is often associated with severe bleeding and organ failure.
The outbreak in Kagera, which has resulted in eight deaths out of nine suspected cases, is particularly concerning due to its high mortality rate and the region’s strategic importance as a transit hub.
On January 10, 2025, WHO received credible reports of suspected MVD cases in Kagera. Initial findings indicated six affected individuals, five of whom had already succumbed to the disease.
Patients exhibited symptoms including severe headaches, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting blood, extreme weakness, and, in advanced stages, bleeding from bodily orifices.
By January 11, the number of suspected cases had increased to nine, with eight deaths reported, reflecting a fatality rate of 89%. The cases were identified in the Biharamulo and Muleba districts.
Samples from patients are currently undergoing confirmation at the National Public Health Laboratory.
Meanwhile, health authorities are closely monitoring individuals who may have had contact with the infected, including healthcare workers.
WHO has deployed national rapid response teams to investigate and manage the outbreak. Surveillance has been heightened, and contact tracing efforts are underway.
