The Tanzanian government has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region, following the detection of one positive case. This announcement was made during a press briefing in Dodoma by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
Key Details of the Outbreak
- Case Identification
- Laboratory tests conducted at Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient infected with the Marburg virus.
- The remaining 25 suspected cases have tested negative and are currently under observation.
- Previous Marburg Outbreak
- Tanzania experienced its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease in March 2023 in Kagera, resulting in nine cases and six deaths, with a case-fatality ratio of 67%.
About Marburg Virus Disease
Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent illness that causes haemorrhagic fever. It is caused by a virus in the same family as Ebola.
- Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, malaise, and haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
- Transmission: The virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, or materials. It is also zoonotic, transmitted to humans from fruit bats.
- Treatment: There is currently no licensed treatment or vaccine. Supportive care, such as rehydration and symptom management, improves survival chances.
Government Response
President Hassan assured the public of the government’s commitment to controlling the outbreak. She emphasized Tanzania’s previous success in containing similar outbreaks and pledged decisive action to address the current threat.
Measures include:
- Enhanced disease surveillance.
- Testing and treatment facilities.
- Infection prevention and control protocols.
- Public awareness campaigns to prevent the spread.
WHO and Africa CDC Support
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) are collaborating with Tanzanian authorities to strengthen outbreak control measures.
- WHO Support:
- Scaling up surveillance and testing.
- Providing resources for case management and public health communication.
- Preventing cross-border spread.
- Africa CDC Measures:
- Deployment of 12 public health experts within 24 hours to aid with surveillance, diagnostics, and community engagement.
- Allocation of $2 million to bolster immediate response efforts.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stressed the need for collaboration:
“Now is the time for commitment to protect the health of all people in Tanzania and the region from the risks posed by this disease.”
Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, echoed the sentiment, highlighting Tanzania’s effective response during the 2023 outbreak:
“Swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control.”
Conclusion
With swift action and collaboration between the Tanzanian government, WHO, and Africa CDC, efforts are underway to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread. Public vigilance, adherence to safety guidelines, and the continued support of international health organizations will be crucial in safeguarding lives and minimizing the impact of this outbreak
