A suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in northwest Tanzania has infected nine people, resulting in eight deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This comes just weeks after a previous outbreak of the disease was declared over in neighboring Rwanda.
The Marburg virus, a highly dangerous viral hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate as high as 88%, belongs to the same virus family as Ebola. It is transmitted to humans by fruit bats, which are common in that part of East Africa.
The WHO received reliable reports of suspected cases in the Kagera region of Tanzania on January 10. Patients presented with symptoms including headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting blood, muscle weakness, and finally, external bleeding.
Samples from two patients have been sent to Tanzania’s national laboratory for testing to confirm the outbreak. WHO reported that contacts of the patients, including healthcare workers, have been identified and are being monitored.
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The recent outbreak in Rwanda, which borders Tanzania’s Kagera region, infected 66 people and caused 15 deaths before being declared over on December 20.
The Marburg virus can spread between humans through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, including contaminated bedding or clothing. An outbreak in the same Kagera region in March 2023 killed six people and lasted almost two months.
Background on Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)
Marburg virus disease (MVD), previously known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal illness in humans. The average fatality rate is around 50%, but it has varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptom treatment can improve survival rates.
Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for MVD, but various vaccines and drug therapies are in development. The Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bat is considered the natural host of the Marburg virus. The virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and then spreads among humans via human-to-human transmission. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks.
Source: The EastAfrican
