Suspected Marburg Virus Outbreak in Tanzania Kills Eight, WHO Reports

The World Health Organization warns of high regional risk as investigations into the deadly hemorrhagic fever continue in the Kagera region.

The World Health Organization has reported nine suspected cases of Marburg virus disease in Tanzania's Kagera region, resulting in eight deaths so far.
Marburg virus, a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever related to Ebola, has a fatality rate of up to 88% and is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
The outbreak is concentrated in two districts of Kagera, a key transit hub bordering Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising concerns about regional spread.
Health authorities are conducting contact tracing, laboratory testing, and surveillance efforts, with healthcare workers among those affected by the suspected outbreak.
This marks Tanzania's second Marburg outbreak since 2023, and while the global risk is assessed as low, WHO urges neighboring countries to remain vigilant.