The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a suspected outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in Tanzania’s Kagera region has resulted in at least eight fatalities, warning of a high risk of further spread within the country and across the region.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, shared the update on X, stating, “We are aware of nine cases so far, including eight deaths. We expect more cases in the coming days as surveillance improves. WHO is providing full support to the Tanzanian government and affected communities.”
This development follows a three-month Marburg outbreak in neighboring Rwanda that claimed 15 lives. The Marburg virus, related to Ebola, causes severe hemorrhagic fever, often leading to organ failure and bleeding, with a fatality rate of up to 90%.
WHO noted that the Kagera region first experienced a Marburg outbreak in March 2023, resulting in six deaths out of nine reported cases. The area remains a hotspot for zoonotic reservoirs like fruit bats, which are the primary source of the virus.
The Kagera region’s strategic position as a transit hub with significant cross-border activity involving Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo further elevates the regional risk of the outbreak. WHO has classified the risk at the national and regional levels as high.
Peoplesmind
