Tanzania confirms outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the country
WHO is assisting the nation
Tanzania has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region. A single case was positively identified after thorough investigations and laboratory tests of suspected infections.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced on January 20, 2025, during a press briefing in Dodoma, the country’s administrative capital, alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“The laboratory tests carried out at Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and subsequently confirmed in Dar es Salaam have identified one patient as infected with the Marburg virus. Thankfully, all other suspected cases have tested negative,” President Hassan stated.
She reassured the public that Tanzania has previously demonstrated its ability to contain similar outbreaks and expressed confidence in overcoming the current challenge.
As of 20 January 2025, 25 suspected cases have been reported in the Biharamulo district of Kagera. All individuals are currently under close monitoring; no further confirmed cases have emerged. President Hassan reaffirmed her government’s commitment to addressing the outbreak and protecting the local and international community from its potential spread.
The WHO is assisting Tanzanian health authorities in strengthening key measures for controlling the outbreak. These include enhancing disease surveillance, improving testing capabilities, increasing public awareness, and implementing infection prevention and control strategies. The WHO also supports the government in providing case management and treatment for those affected.
Dr Tedros emphasised the importance of global cooperation in addressing health emergencies, stating, “WHO, in collaboration with our partners, is dedicated to supporting Tanzania in bringing the outbreak under control as quickly as possible. Our collective efforts will help safeguard the health of the people in Tanzania and the broader region.”
Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness that belongs to the same viral family as Ebola. The disease causes haemorrhagic fever and begins abruptly, with symptoms including high fever, severe headache, and general malaise. Within a week, patients may experience severe haemorrhagic symptoms.
The disease spreads to humans through contact with infected fruit bats and human-to-human transmission through direct contact with bodily fluids, surfaces, or materials contaminated by an infected person.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the importance of swift and effective measures. “The declaration made by President Hassan and the actions taken by the government are crucial in containing the disease at both the local and national levels,” she said. “Our priority is to support the government in rapidly scaling up measures to respond to the outbreak and protect the population’s health.”
Tanzania experienced its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023, also in the Kagera region. The previous epidemic resulted in nine reported cases, eight confirmed and one probable, six deaths, and a case fatality rate of 67%. The Marburg virus has also been reported sporadically in several other African countries, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, and Uganda.
There are no licensed vaccines or treatments for Marburg virus disease, though several candidate treatments are undergoing clinical trials. Early supportive care, such as rehydration, improves survival rates.
Image: The disease spreads to humans through contact with infected fruit bats and human-to-human transmission. Credit: Ketut Subiyanto
