Eight Marburg Virus Disease Fatalities Reported in Tanzania

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently informed its Member States of a suspected Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania.

On January 13, 2025, the WHO wrote that the risk of this suspected MVD outbreak is assessed as high at the national level due to several concerning factors.

The regional risk is also considered high due to the Kagera region's strategic location as a transit hub, with significant cross-border movement of the population to Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

As of early January 2025, nine suspected cases were reported, including eight deaths (case fatality ratio of 89%) across two districts – Biharamulo and Muleba.

Close contacts, including healthcare workers, are reported to have been identified and under follow-up in both districts. Human-to-human transmission of Marburg virus is primarily associated with direct contact with the blood and/or other bodily fluids of infected people.

The Bukoba 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 2023 lasted for nearly two months, with nine cases and six deaths. 

Since 1967, MVD outbreaks have been confirmed in various countries.

The WHO advises against travel and trade restrictions with Tanzania based on the current risk assessment.

As of January 15, 2025, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Advisory for visiting Tanzania. Previously, the CDC included Tanzania in its current global polio Travel Health Advisory.

Furthermore, no U.S. FDA-approved Marburg vaccines exist, but candidates are conducting clinical trials.