The Tanzanian Ministry of Health has announced that all suspected cases of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the Kagera region tested negative. This follows an alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 13th, 2025, regarding a suspected MVD outbreak in the region, where eight deaths had been reported.
Health Minister Jenista Mhagama stated that the Ministry had swiftly responded to the WHO alert, deploying expert teams, conducting investigations, and collecting samples for laboratory testing.
“Following this information, the Ministry has immediately taken several measures including: deployment of a team of experts to the area; event investigation; collection of specimen and laboratory testing,”
Jenista Mhagama-Minister of Health; Tanzania
The Kagera region, located on the border with several neighboring countries, has a history of MVD outbreaks. A previous outbreak in March 2023 resulted in nine cases and six fatalities.
The WHO had expressed concern about the potential for regional and international spread due to the high human mobility in the region.
Initial Reports and Concerns
Initial reports, dismissed as “fake” by the Ministry of Health, described an unusual illness affecting several individuals, including a pregnant woman who experienced a miscarriage and subsequently died.
The reports detailed a concerning pattern of deaths within the woman’s family and among individuals who had interacted with them, including a healthcare worker.
WHO’s Response
The WHO, aware of nine suspected cases with a high fatality rate of 89%, had warned of potential further cases as surveillance improves.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “We are aware of 9 cases so far, including 8 people who have died. We would expect further cases in coming days as disease surveillance improves.”
MVD is a severe hemorrhagic fever with symptoms including high fever, headache, muscle aches, and potentially severe bleeding. It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
Government Response
In response to the outbreak, the Tanzanian government says it has mobilized rapid response teams to investigate the situation, intensify surveillance efforts, and conduct thorough contact tracing. Treatment units have been established, and laboratory samples have been collected and sent for confirmation testing.
WHO Recommendations
The WHO has issued recommendations to mitigate the spread of the virus, including preventing human-to-human transmission, seeking immediate medical care for anyone experiencing symptoms suggestive of MVD, and strengthening surveillance and response capacities at points of entry and borders.
Ongoing Monitoring
Despite the negative test results, the Tanzanian government has said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and maintain a high level of vigilance to prevent any potential resurgence of MVD
