The WHO confirmed a suspected Marburg virus outbreak in northwest Tanzania, with eight fatalities out of nine infected, following a recent outbreak in neighboring Rwanda.
On January 10, the WHO received reports of suspected Marburg cases in Tanzania's Kagera region, with symptoms like fever and bleeding. The WHO reported on Tuesday that it was awaiting confirmation of samples and was monitoring the patients' contacts.
A previous Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, bordering Kagera, reportedly infected 66 and killed 15 before ending on December 20. The virus spreads through contact with infected blood and fluids. A similar two-month outbreak occurred in Kagera in March 2023, resulting in six deaths.