Tanzania has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease following the identification of a positive case in the north-western Kagera region.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced it during a press briefing held in Tanzania's administrative capital, Dodoma, alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Speaking about the virus Hassan said: “Laboratory tests conducted in the Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and subsequently confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients have tested negative.”
It has been reported that as of January 20, a total of 25 suspected cases have been reported in Kagera, specifically in the districts of Biharamulo and Muleba, all of whom have tested negative and are under close monitoring.
Hassan reassured both the Tanzanian public and the international community of the government's determination to tackle global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively supporting Tanzanian health authorities in enhancing crucial outbreak control measures such as disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, and public awareness initiatives aimed at preventing further transmission.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” Dr Tedros stressed during the briefing.
Marburg virus disease is classified as highly virulent and can lead to severe haemorrhagic fever.
It is explained that the early symptoms include a sudden onset of high fever, severe headaches, and significant malaise, which can escalate to severe haemorrhagic symptoms within a week.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasised the importance of the president's declaration and the consequent measures being implemented by the government. These steps are pivotal in tackling the disease at both local and national levels, as well as preventing any potential cross-border spread.
Tanzania previously faced a Marburg outbreak in March 2023, the country’s first, which resulted in nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six fatalities.
The Marburg virus has seen sporadic outbreaks across several African nations, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
It is revealed that the virus is transmitted from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as surfaces and materials contaminated by these fluids.
Despite several promising candidate medical countermeasures currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for Marburg virus disease.
However, access to early treatment and supportive care, such as rehydration through oral or intravenous fluids, can significantly improve the chances of survival.
Saturday Star