Tanzania’s Health Minister Jenista Mhagama has dismissed reports of a Marburg virus outbreak in the Kagera region, revealing that laboratory tests conducted as of January 15, 2025, returned negative results for the disease. This comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a high alert for Marburg disease in Tanzania’s neighboring countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Mozambique.
The Tanzanian Ministry of Health has been proactive in investigating the situation after initial reports claimed the deaths of eight individuals in Kagera, with symptoms suspected to be linked to the Marburg virus. Minister Mhagama confirmed that the Ministry had swiftly dispatched a team of experts to the region for further investigation. This team took samples from the suspected cases, which were then sent to laboratories for testing. However, as of January 15, the results did not confirm the presence of the Marburg virus in any of the samples.
Despite the test results, the Ministry of Health has remained vigilant, assuring both the Tanzanian public and the international community that the government is closely monitoring the situation. Surveillance efforts have been intensified, and authorities have committed to providing regular updates.
The WHO’s involvement came after reports of nine suspected cases in the Kagera region, including eight fatalities. According to the WHO’s statement, the symptoms of those affected mirrored the typical signs of Marburg disease, including headache, high fever, body weakness, diarrhea, vomiting blood, and later-stage external hemorrhage. WHO noted that the fatality rate of the disease had been high, with a case fatality ratio of 89 percent, particularly in the Biharamulo and Muleba districts of Kagera.
Marburg virus is a highly infectious disease in the same family as the Ebola virus, causing hemorrhagic fever and a high mortality rate. It is primarily transmitted to humans from fruit bats and can spread through bodily fluids of infected individuals.
In response to the suspected outbreak, Tanzania has stepped up its efforts to manage the situation. Rapid response teams have been deployed to support investigation and response activities. Surveillance measures have been expanded at key points of entry into the country, and additional laboratory samples have been sent to the National Public Health Laboratory for further confirmation. Furthermore, a mobile laboratory has been set up in the Kagera region, and treatment units are being established to provide care to any affected individuals.
The WHO, while acknowledging Tanzania’s testing efforts, has advised that surveillance and response capacities be strengthened in the affected and neighboring regions. They also emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration among affected countries to streamline reporting and response mechanisms.
As the situation continues to evolve, Tanzanian authorities and the WHO remain committed to monitoring and responding to any developments swiftly to prevent the spread of the disease across borders. The Ministry of Health has assured the public that they will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
