Tanzania has officially confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the north-western Kagera region, with one case verified after initial government denial. President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced on January 20, 2025, that health authorities are responding swiftly, deploying rapid response teams to track suspected cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) previously reported nine suspected cases and eight deaths, though the cause of these deaths remains unknown. Marburg, an Ebola-like virus transmitted from fruit bats to humans, has no approved treatments or vaccines but can be controlled with rapid containment measures.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reassured the global community, stating the outbreak poses a “low” international risk. Efforts are underway to trace over 300 contacts, including health workers. This is Tanzania’s second Marburg outbreak after one in 2023 claimed six lives.
