Marburg virus disease in Tanzania?

Tanzania tweet confusing

The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday reported of an outbreak of suspected Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania.

As of 11 January 2025, nine suspected cases were reported including eight deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR) of 89%) across two districts – Biharamulo and Muleba. Samples from two patients have been collected and tested by the National Public Health Laboratory. Results are pending official confirmation. Contacts, including healthcare workers, are reported to have been identified and under follow-up in both districts.

WHO says the risk of this suspected MVD outbreak is assessed as high at the national level due to several concerning factors. The suspected outbreak thus far involves at least nine suspected cases, including eight deaths, resulting in a high CFR of 89%. Healthcare workers are included among the suspected cases affected, highlighting the risk of nosocomial transmission. The source of the outbreak is currently unknown.

MARBURG Virus detected in fruit bats in Sierra Leone

The reporting of suspected MVD cases from two districts suggests geographic spread. The delayed detection and isolation of cases, coupled with ongoing contact tracing, indicates lack of a full information of the current outbreak. More cases are expected to be identified.

The regional risk is considered high due to Kagera region's strategic location as a transit hub, with significant cross-border movement of the population to Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

An outbreak of Marburg virus disease, the first ever, occurred in Tanzania from March - May 2023, which resulted in six deaths.

To make matters confusing, the Tanzania Ministry of Health (Wizara ya Afya) tweeted the following on January 13:

Not sure what this is about, but one commenter stated in Swahili: WHO wanasema kuna mlipuko wa ugonjwa hatari wa Marburg uko Kagera nyie mnakanusha hamuoni iyo ni taharuki kubwa kwa watu. Tumwamin nani kati ya nyie na WHO?

In English: WHO says there is an outbreak of the deadly Marburg disease in Kagera, you guys are denying it, don't you see that it is a big concern for the people. Who should we believe between you and WHO?

I’ll keep my eyes peeled on this development.