The World Health Organisation has confirmed an outbreak of suspected Marburg Virus Disease in Tanzania.
The WHO who disclosed this on its website on Tuesday, noted that the source of the outbreak is currently unknown, according to The PUNCH.
It stated that the risk of the suspected MVD outbreak is assessed as high at the national level due to several concerning factors, and the regional risk is considered high due to the Kagera region’s strategic location as a transit hub.
It mentioned that there is no confirmed international spread at the moment, but there are concerns about potential risks.
It said, “On 13 January 2025, WHO informed its Member States and International Health Regulations State Parties of an outbreak of suspected MVD in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania using our secure web-based platform—the Event Information Site. Under the International Health Regulations, the EIS is used to issue rapid alerts to Member States of acute and rapidly developing public health risks and events with possible international implications.
“On 10 January 2025, WHO received reliable reports from in-country sources regarding suspected cases of MVD in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania. Six people were reported to have been affected, five of whom had died. The cases presented with similar symptoms of headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, haematemesis (vomiting with blood), malaise (body weakness) and, at a later stage of disease, external haemorrhage (bleeding from orifices).
“As of 11 January 2025, nine suspected cases were reported including eight deaths (case fatality ratio of 89 per cent) across two districts – Biharamulo and Muleba. Samples from two patients have been collected and tested by the National Public Health Laboratory. Results are pending official confirmation. Contacts, including healthcare workers, are reported to have been identified and under follow-up in both districts.”
