Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced on Monday that the country is facing an outbreak of the Marburg virus, which is similar to Ebola. This announcement came just a week after the country’s health minister had denied the presence of any cases.

The outbreak was confirmed in the northwestern Kagera region, where one person tested positive for the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the case was confirmed after investigating and analyzing suspected cases.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan shared the news during a press briefing in Dodoma, Tanzania's administrative capital, where she was joined by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan also confirmed that laboratory tests conducted at the Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera, and later in Dar es Salaam, identified one patient infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the other suspected patients tested negative. The president reassured the public, stating, "We have demonstrated our ability to contain similar outbreaks in the past and are determined to do the same this time."

As of January 20, 2025, a total of 25 suspected cases were reported in Biharamulo district, Kagera. All of them tested negative and are under close follow-up. President Hassan emphasized the commitment to addressing global health challenges, including the Marburg virus, and reassured both the Tanzanian public and the international community.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with Tanzanian health authorities to strengthen efforts to control the Marburg virus outbreak. This includes improving surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention, and case management, while also raising awareness in communities to prevent the virus from spreading further.

Dr Tedros, WHO's Director-General, emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, “WHO and its partners are committed to helping Tanzania control the outbreak as quickly as possible. Our goal is to ensure a healthier and safer future for everyone in Tanzania, and to protect the region from the risks of this virus.”

What is the Marburg virus?

Marburg virus disease, a highly virulent illness causing hemorrhagic fever, is in the same family as the Ebola virus. It begins suddenly with symptoms like high fever, severe headache, and malaise, often followed by severe bleeding, including in the eyes.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the importance of Tanzania’s response to control the outbreak and prevent it from spreading across borders.

Tanzania previously faced its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023 in the Kagera region, with 9 cases and 6 deaths, showing a case fatality rate of 67%. Other African countries, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda, have also reported Marburg outbreaks.

The virus is spread to humans by fruit bats and transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials, according to WHO.

Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment for Marburg virus disease, though several potential treatments are being tested in clinical trials. Early supportive care, such as rehydration with fluids and symptom management, can improve chances of survival.