The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a chilling warning following a deadly outbreak of the Marburg virus in Tanzania, which has already claimed at least eight lives.
The virus, which has a high fatality rate, has been reported in two districts of the northwest Kagera region—Biharamulo and Muleba. WHO is currently investigating nine suspected cases of Marburg, with eight of those resulting in deaths, Mirror reported.
Known as the “bleeding eyes” disease, Marburg is one of the deadliest viruses on earth, with a survival rate of only 50 percent. Concerns are growing over the potential spread of the illness, as the outbreak is centered in a highly populated area that serves as a regional hub.
WHO said that they received reliable reports from in-country sources on January 10, detailing six suspected cases, of which five were fatal. By the following day, the number of cases had risen to nine, with eight deaths confirmed.
WHO said: “The cases presented with similar symptoms of headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, haematemesis (vomiting blood), malaise (body weakness), and, at a later stage of disease, external haemorrhage (bleeding from orifices).”
“We would expect further cases in coming days as disease surveillance improves,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.
“WHO has offered its full assistance to the government of Tanzania, and to affected communities. Marburg virus disease is an infectious, severe and often fatal disease caused by filovirus. Rapid action saves lives, including ensuring people with symptoms receive prompt care.
“We recommend neighbouring countries be on alert and prepared to manage potential cases. We do not recommend travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time.”
Samples from two patients have been tested at the National Public Health Laboratory, with WHO reporting that contacts, including healthcare workers, have been “identified and under follow-up in both districts.”
The Marburg virus is deadly, often killing victims through blood loss or shock. Infected individuals can carry the virus for up to 21 days without showing symptoms while the disease incubates. Once symptoms appear, they develop suddenly and can escalate rapidly.
While Marburg exists in bats, it doesn’t harm them. Outbreaks typically occur when the virus is transmitted from bats to humans, after which it can spread within human populations.
“Once introduced in the human population, Marburg virus can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids,” the WHO said.
People cannot transmit the Marburg virus before showing symptoms, but once symptoms appear, they remain infectious as long as the virus is present in their blood. The virus has an incubation period of 2 to 21 days, after which symptoms can emerge suddenly.
In a statement on its site, WHO said: “The Bkoba district in the Kagera region experienced its first MVD outbreak in March 2023, and zoonotic reservoirs, such as fruit bats, remain endemic to the area. The outbreak in March 2023 lasted for nearly two months with nine cases including six deaths.”
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