Tanzania Confirms Marburg Virus Outbreak Following Initial Denial

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has confirmed a Marburg virus outbreak in the Kagera region, following earlier denials from health officials. The WHO reported nine suspected cases and eight deaths. While only one case has been confirmed, health authorities are actively monitoring additional contacts. The Marburg virus, which has a significant mortality rate and lacks approved treatments, poses a serious public health risk, prompting increased surveillance and testing in the region.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus, a disease similar to Ebola, after previous denials from the health minister about the occurrence of cases. At a recent press conference, President Hassan stated that health authorities identified one confirmed case in the Kagera region, expressing confidence in overcoming this health challenge as they had successfully done during a prior outbreak in 2021.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously signaled a suspected outbreak on January 14 due to nine suspected cases and eight fatalities reported within five days in the Kagera region. Despite these reports, Health Minister Jenista Mhagama asserted that follow-up tests on the suspected cases returned negative results. During this joint briefing with WHO officials, President Hassan shared plans to enhance the government’s response, including deploying a rapid response team to address suspected cases.

Marburg virus, which is highly contagious, presents symptoms such as fever, muscular pain, diarrhea, and severe vomiting, with a mortality rate averaging 50%. In conjunction with the confirmed case, Tanzanian authorities have screened 24 other suspects, all of whom tested negative for the virus. However, the sources of the eight reported deaths from earlier cases remain unexplained.

The country previously endured its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023, primarily impacting the Bukoba district, resulting in six deaths over nearly two months. According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the global risk from the current outbreak is considered low, although there are no available vaccines or specific treatments.

On Thursday, the Africa CDC announced that more than 300 potential contacts have been identified for testing, including 56 health workers and 16 individuals who had direct contact with suspected cases. Given Kagera’s status as a transit hub for neighboring countries, officials have heightened vigilance as bacillus cross-border risks persist.

The Marburg virus is typically transmitted to humans through fruit bats, followed by close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. At present, no vaccines or confirmed treatments are available, although research and trials are actively underway. Recent developments show that Rwanda has ended a Marburg outbreak in its territory that previously infected 66 people and resulted in 15 fatalities.

The Marburg virus, a highly infectious filovirus akin to Ebola, has been a public health concern in several African nations. Transmitted primarily through contact with infected bodily fluids and from fruit bats, the disease has faced outbreaks that necessitate urgent responses from health authorities. In Tanzania, the recent confirmation of cases follows significant confusion regarding initial reports of the virus’s presence, highlighting the importance of timely and accurate public health communication. Regional collaboration is crucial, particularly in transit areas with high cross-border travel.

The recent confirmation of a Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania underscores the critical need for effective health monitoring and response strategies. Following initial denials of suspected cases, President Hassan’s acknowledgment of the confirmed case reflects a shift towards transparency and proactive measures. The WHO’s involvement and the identification of contacts indicate a coordinated effort to contain the spread of this potentially deadly virus as global health authorities remain vigilant.

Original Source: www.bbc.com