WHO warns Tanzania over deadly Marburg outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about a potential new outbreak of the Ebola-like Marburg virus in north-western Tanzania, reporting that at least eight people have died so far.
According to the WHO, nine suspected cases have been identified in the Kagera region within the past five days.
“We expect more cases in the coming days as disease surveillance improves,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on X.
The Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease similar to Ebola, causes symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, death due to extreme blood loss.
Tanzania previously encountered its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023, in Bukoba district, where six people died.
That outbreak lasted nearly two months.
Although Tanzanian authorities have not yet confirmed the current outbreak, the WHO has reported that patients, including healthcare workers, are being monitored.
Rapid response teams have been deployed to trace suspected cases and contain the disease.
The WHO warned that the risk of the virus spreading in the region remains “high” due to Kagera’s role as a transit hub with significant cross-border movement to neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda.
However, WHO chief Dr Tedros emphasized that no travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania are recommended at this time.
Globally, the risk remains “low,” according to the WHO, with no evidence of international spread.
In December 2024, neighbouring Rwanda declared its outbreak over after 66 infections and 15 deaths.
The Marburg virus has an average fatality rate of 50%, according to WHO data.
It spreads to humans through contact with fruit bats and can then be transmitted via bodily fluids of infected individuals.
Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines for the Marburg virus, though clinical trials are underway.
BBC/Patience Ameh
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