In brief
The Tanzanian Health Minister stated that recent tests showed negative results, despite WHO's warnings about potential further cases.
Tanzania has officially dismissed a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating a suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in the north-western region of Kagera. The WHO had alerted that there were nine suspected cases over a five-day span, which included eight fatalities. However, Health Minister Jenista Mhagama confirmed that all samples analyzed returned negative results for the Marburg virus. She emphasized the country's commitment to keeping international health organizations, including the WHO, informed about any developments. In March 2023, Tanzania reported its first experience with the Marburg virus in the Bukoba district, claiming six lives in an outbreak that lasted around two months. Symptoms of the virus are akin to Ebola, presenting with fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe instances, death through substantial blood loss. WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated that further cases could emerge as health surveillance intensifies in the wake of this suspected outbreak. The WHO has recognized a "high" transmission risk in Kagera due to its position as a transit hub connecting with neighboring countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. Dr. Tedros advised that travel and trade restrictions related to Tanzania are currently unnecessary, highlighting the low global risk at this stage and the absence of concerns regarding international spread. Following the alert, health experts were dispatched to the Kagera region to collect specimens. While Minister Mhagama reaffirmed that laboratory tests ruled out the outbreak, she did not disclose the specific number of cases that had been evaluated. Notably, Rwanda had declared the conclusion of its Marburg outbreak in December, which had seen 66 infections resulting in 15 fatalities. According to WHO, the Marburg virus is deadly, with a fatality rate that averages 50%. The virus is known to transmit between humans via fruit bats and contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, with ongoing trials searching for effective treatments and a vaccine.
