Tanzania has confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus, with a case reported in Kagera. Following initial denials of any cases, health authorities are now on high alert. The WHO noted the global risk level as low but emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts. Over 300 contacts are being monitored as part of the response efforts to prevent further spread of the virus.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has confirmed a Marburg virus outbreak in the country, following initial denials from health officials. During a recent press conference, she reported that one case of this Ebola-like virus was detected in the north-western Kagera region. President Hassan expressed confidence in overcoming this challenge, referencing a previous outbreak in 2021.
On January 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a suspected outbreak, linking nine suspected cases and eight deaths in Kagera. However, the Health Minister had earlier claimed that laboratory tests for these suspected cases returned negative results. In response, the government is now actively monitoring suspected individuals and has deployed a rapid response team to manage the situation.
Marburg virus is highly transmissible and presents severe symptoms including fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and potential fatal outcomes due to excessive blood loss; the WHO estimates a 50% fatality rate among those infected. Besides the confirmed case, authorities are monitoring 24 additional suspected cases, all of which tested negative thus far.
The cause of the eight deaths reported remains undetermined. Tanzania had previously faced its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023, resulting in six fatalities over a two-month period. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO stated that the global risk from the current outbreak is considered low, advising against travel restrictions and emphasizing the importance of collaboration to swiftly control outbreaks.
The Africa CDC reported that over 300 contacts linked to the situation are being monitored, with health workers constituting a significant portion of these contacts. Given that Kagera serves as a transit hub, there are concerns regarding potential viral spread across borders to neighboring countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, the latter of which had recently declared the end of its Marburg outbreak. The Marburg virus is known to be transmitted to humans from fruit bats and then through exposure to the bodily fluids of infected persons. Currently, there are no specific treatments or vaccines available, although clinical trials are in progress.
The Marburg virus is a highly infectious pathogen that belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus. It causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever, characterized by high mortality rates. This outbreak in Tanzania follows two earlier instances, including a recent one in March 2023, which heightened health authorities’ alertness due to its potential cross-border transmission risks. Understanding the dynamics of previous outbreaks in the region is vital to control and limit the advance of the virus.
In summary, Tanzania is currently facing a confirmed outbreak of the Marburg virus, with health authorities engaged in active monitoring and response. Despite prior reassurances of no cases, the outbreak illustrates the persistent challenges of viral diseases within vulnerable communities. A coordinated international response, including monitoring contacts and investigation of unexplained deaths, is essential as the country navigates this public health crisis.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
