Marburg Outbreak Terminated in Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania today declared the end of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak after two months. This was the country’s first MVD outbreak of the disease.

As of June 2, 2023, nine cases and six related fatalities were recorded in the outbreak declared on March 21, 2023.

The last confirmed case tested negative for the second test of MVD was on April 19, 2023, setting off the 42-day mandatory countdown to declare the end of the outbreak.

“With the investments being made to prepare for and tackle health emergencies in the region, we are responding even faster and more effectively to save lives, livelihoods and safeguard health,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a press release.

“Thanks to these efforts, Tanzania has been able to end this outbreak and limit the potentially devastating impacts of a highly infectious disease,” Dr Moeti said.

Marburg is highly virulent and causes hemorrhagic fever, with many patients developing severe symptoms within seven days. Illness begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache, and severe malaise.

MVD is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease.

The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials.

The WHO encourages countries to maintain most response activities for three months after the outbreak ends. This ensures that if the disease re-emerges, health authorities can detect it immediately, prevent it from spreading again, and ultimately save lives.

Additionally, the WHO advises against other international travel and/or trade measures in the United Republic of Tanzania. 

Previous MVD outbreaks and sporadic cases in Africa have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, and Uganda.

The WHO published on February 13, 2023, the Marburg virus vaccine development landscape. As of June 2, 2023, no vaccines or antiviral treatments have been approved to treat the virus.