A suspected outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Tanzania has claimed eight lives and poses a high risk to the country and its neighbors, according to global health leaders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported nine suspected cases in two districts of the Kagera region, where symptoms include severe headaches, fever, back pain, diarrhea, and bleeding.
The WHO considers the risk from the outbreak low globally, but high in Tanzania and the surrounding region. Healthcare workers are among those affected, suggesting potential spread within health facilities. The source of the outbreak remains unknown, with ongoing investigations, including contact tracing and laboratory tests.
Marburg virus outbreaks typically begin through human contact with fruit bats, which act as an animal reservoir for the virus. Previous outbreaks in Tanzania and Rwanda have shown a fatality rate between 24% and 88%. The WHO declares outbreaks over when no patients test negative for the virus twice after 42 days.
The outbreak comes weeks after a similar incident in neighboring Rwanda was declared over. With significant cross-border movement in the region, there is a risk of spread into neighboring countries.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jan/15/suspected-outbreak-of-deadly-marburg-virus-disease-kills-eight-in-tanzania