AfricaHealth Suspected Marburg Virus Outbreak in Tanzania Claims Eight Lives

At least eight people have died in a suspected Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO reported receiving information about suspected cases in the Kagera region on January 10, with symptoms including headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting with blood, body weakness, and external bleeding.

Samples from two patients have been collected for testing to confirm the outbreak, and contacts, including healthcare workers, are being monitored.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that, to date, there have been nine reported cases, with eight fatalities. The WHO expects more cases in the coming days as disease surveillance improves.

The organization has extended full support to Tanzania’s government and the affected communities. While advising neighboring countries to be on alert, the WHO has not recommended any travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time.

Marburg virus disease is in the same family as the Ebola virus and is known to cause hemorrhagic fever. The virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials.

This outbreak follows a similar one in Rwanda, which borders Tanzania’s Kagera region, where 66 people were infected, 15 died, and the outbreak was declared over on December 20.

This story originally appeared on AL24 News.