Marburg Virus Outbreak in Tanzania’s Kagera Region Claims 8 Lives, Raising Regional Health Concerns

Marburg Virus Outbreak in Tanzania’s Kagera Region Claims 8 Lives, Raising Regional Health Concerns

A suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in Tanzania’s northwest Kagera region has killed eight people and infected at least nine, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The alarming development comes just weeks after neighboring Rwanda declared its own Marburg outbreak officially over.

The Marburg virus, a deadly hemorrhagic fever closely related to Ebola, is highly contagious and has a fatality rate of up to 88%. Both viruses are endemic to East Africa and believed to be transmitted to humans through fruit bats. The Tanzanian outbreak has emerged in the Kagera region, which borders Rwanda, increasing concerns about the potential for cross-border transmission.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

The WHO confirmed receiving reports of the suspected cases on January 10. Early symptoms among the infected individuals included high fever, headache, muscle weakness, back pain, vomiting blood, and severe external bleeding. Samples from two of the patients are currently undergoing testing at Tanzania’s national laboratory, and authorities are tracing all contacts, including healthcare workers, to prevent further spread.

This outbreak follows Rwanda’s recent experience with Marburg, where the virus infected 66 individuals and killed 15 before it was declared under control on December 20. The proximity of the two outbreaks raises alarms about the possibility of cross-border transmission, underscoring the need for immediate containment and coordinated regional responses.

Tanzania had previously faced a Marburg outbreak in March 2023, also in the Kagera region, which claimed six lives over nearly two months. This recurrence highlights the ongoing threat posed by the virus in the area, where public health infrastructure remains strained.

While the outbreak in Rwanda has been brought under control, the rapid response in Tanzania will be crucial in preventing further loss of life and the virus’s spread. Marburg virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials such as clothing and bedding, making containment efforts especially challenging.

The WHO is working closely with Tanzanian health authorities to confirm the outbreak and implement strategies to control its spread. The situation underscores the importance of regional cooperation between East African countries, particularly as both Tanzania and Rwanda continue to face significant challenges in controlling infectious diseases in resource-limited settings.

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