Janice R. Andrews
Tanzania’s Kagera region is facing a serious outbreak of Marburg virus disease, with WHO reporting eight deaths among nine suspected cases. The virus, related to Ebola, is highly dangerous with a mortality rate reaching 88%.
Marburg virus causes hemorrhagic fever, characterized by severe internal bleeding, including from the eyes. Infected individuals may develop distinctive facial features, including sunken eyes and expressionless faces. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, or infected wildlife.
WHO has dispatched response teams to Kagera, the outbreak’s epicenter. Given the region’s role as a transit hub, neighboring Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda have heightened their surveillance measures.
The outbreak came to light after several deaths from an unidentified illness, which testing later identified as Marburg. Health officials anticipate possible additional cases as monitoring intensifies. The delayed identification of initial cases has raised concerns about potential spread.
Currently, no specific treatments or vaccines exist for Marburg virus. Healthcare providers focus on supportive care, though this puts them at significant risk – as evidenced by healthcare workers accounting for 80% of cases in a recent Rwandan outbreak.
While WHO assesses the global risk as low due to limited transmission patterns, they emphasize the need for regional vigilance given Kagera’s geographic significance. Local authorities are strengthening surveillance and public health measures to contain the outbreak.
