Republic of Tanzania declares Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) Outbreak

On 21 March 2023, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Bukoba district, Kagera region, north western Tanzania. Cumulatively, eight confirmed cases and five deaths, including a health care worker have been reported (case fatality rate: 63%), while three are undergoing treatment at designated treatment centres. Cases presented with fever, vomiting and bleeding from different body orifices. Samples collected tested positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the National Public Health Laboratory. This is the first time a confirmed case of MVD is reported in Tanzania. Kagera region is located in north-western Tanzania and is bordered by Uganda to the north, Rwanda to the west and Burundi to the south-west. The high population mobility within the region poses a risk of cross-border spread. MVD is a highly fatal, zoonotic haemorrhagic disease caused by the Marburg virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct...