On January 13, WHO informed member states that Tanzania had a suspected outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD). On Monday 20 January, the President of the Republic of Tanzania confirmed during a press briefing that there was an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease in the northwestern Kagera region, after one case was tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases. […]
According to the daily sit rep #4 issued by the Ministry of Health (MoH), there are two confirmed cases, 42 suspected cases, one bedridden patient that is being treated, one confirmed death, 8 probable deaths. The regional health authorities have conducted a total of 42 tests (2 confirmed) of those with MVD type symptoms and the results are awaited. Additionally, based on the contact tracing exercise carried out by the regional health teams, the Ministry has identified a total of 281 persons who have been in contact with the persons with MVD type symptoms.
According to reports from the region, the suspected Marburg cases are found in one of the districts of Kagera region, called Biharamulo. Kagera region is an important transit hub west of Lake Victoria, which borders Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. Cross-border movement is significant. (IFRC, 29 Jan 2025)
Since the declaration of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak on 20 January 2025 in the United Republic of Tanzania, one additional confirmed death was reported by the Ministry of Health from the epicentre of the outbreak in Biharamulo district in Kagera region. As of 10 February 2025, a cumulative of two confirmed and eight probable cases were reported by the Ministry of Health. All 10 cases have died, including eight who died before the confirmation of the outbreak. (WHO, 14 Feb 2025)
Tanzania today declared the end of Marburg virus disease outbreak after recording no new cases over 42 days since the death of the last confirmed case on 28 January 2025. The outbreak, in which two confirmed and eight probable cases were recorded (all deceased), was the second the country has experienced. Both this outbreak, which was declared on 20 January 2025, and the one in 2023 occurred in the north-eastern Kagera region. (WHO, 13 Mar 2025)
