WHO was the first to report a suspected outbreak of Marburg that killed 8 people in Tanzania’s remote Kagera
A sample from a remote part of northern Tanzania tested positive for Marburg. This serious disease has symptoms that start flu-like but can progress to severe vomiting, bleeding, and neurological issues. According to experts, the highly infectious virus can be fatal in up to 88 per cent of cases without treatment.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, along with World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyess
The World Health Organisation was the first to report earlier this month on a suspected outbreak of Marburg that had killed eight people in Tanzania’s remote Kagera region. Later, it was disputed by the local authorities, saying tests on samples had returned negative results. However, on Monday, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhi Hassan said that further tests had confirmed a case of Marburg. However, 25 other samples were negative, she said.
How does Marburg originate?
According to experts, Marburg outbreaks usually start by spreading from bats or monkeys to humans. From there, it can spread from human to human and cause outbreaks. It is a viral hemorrhagic fever that damages blood vessels and causes bleeding. It’s part of the same family of viruses as Ebola.
While the disease is rare, there are sometimes outbreaks in certain areas of Africa. During these outbreaks, anywhere from a few people to hundreds are infected around the same time. The most recent Marburg outbreak was in 2023.
The present one is the second outbreak of Marburg in Kagera and comes exactly a month after Rwanda, which shares a border with Kagera, declared its own outbreak of the disease. Rwandan officials reported a total of 15 deaths and 66 cases in the outbreak first declared on Sept. 27, with the majority of those affected healthcare workers who handled the first patients.
Signs and symptoms of Marburg virus
A few signs and symptoms of Marburg, which happen in two phases include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Severe headache
- Cough
- Muscle and joint pain
- Sore throat
- Rashes
- Abdominal and chest pain
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Unintended weight loss
- Bloody poop or vomit
- Bleeding from your nose, mouth, eyes or vagina
- Confusion and delirium
How does the Marburg virus spread?
According to doctors, two related viruses—Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV)—caused the outbreak. Since Marburg virus disease is a viral hemorrhagic fever, it damages your blood vessels and causes severe bleeding. It spreads through contact with the body fluids of infected humans or animals.
Body fluids include blood, pee or urine, poop, spit, human milk, and semen. You can also get it from surfaces, objects, or medical devices that are contaminated with the virus. You are at risk for the virus if you:
- Work with animals that carry it
- Work in mines, caves, or other environments where fruit bats live
- Are in close contact with or caring for someone who’s infected with it
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