by Admin
Jan 15, 2025
A suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in Tanzania has resulted in at least eight fatalities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In a statement released on Tuesday, the global health agency reported that nine suspected cases of this highly fatal disease have been identified in two districts within the Kagera region northwest of the country.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to his X page and said “We would expect further cases in coming days as disease surveillance improves”.
Samples from two patients were collected and tested to confirm the outbreak at Tanzania’s national laboratory, according to the United Nations. The contacts of the patients, including healthcare workers, have been identified and are being monitored.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding the high risk of further spread in Tanzania and the surrounding region.
This risk is primarily due to Kagera’s position as a transit hub, which sees considerable cross-border movement between neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The announcement was made weeks after a Marburg outbreak in Rwanda was declared over. This outbreak infected 66 people and resulted in 15 fatalities.
Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate that can be as high as 88 percent. It belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, which is transmitted to humans by fruit bats.
The virus can spread between people through direct contact or via blood and other bodily fluids of infected people, including contaminated bedding or clothing.
There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the virus.