Tanzania officials update on Marburg outbreak
In a follow-up on the news on the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Tanzania (HERE, HERE and HERE), The Tanzania Ministry of Health, or the Wizara ya Afya Tanzania, released the following statement concerning the MVD outbreak:
The government has continued efforts to control Marburg disease in the country since it was first announced in Biharamulo district, Kagera region, on January 19, 2025 by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The Director of Prevention of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, made this known today, January 24, 2025 in Biharamulo district, while presenting a report of the committee to deal with the Marburg disease outbreak at the Biharamulo district council in Kagera region to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, who arrived in the district to see the situation firsthand.
Dr. Kapologwe said that since the announcement of the disease on January 19, 2025, the Ministry of Health has set up camps in the district and provided services to those affected by the disease, along with educating the public on how to protect themselves from the disease and recognize the symptoms of the disease, which so far has resulted in two deaths, 15 confirmed cases, and 281 people who were in close contact with Marburg patients.
“The government has strengthened control of this disease by bringing in specialist doctors, testing equipment, medicines, and using community-level health workers who have been going door-to-door to identify suspected cases of the disease,” said Dr. Kapologwe.
He explained that about 191 community-level health workers who are undergoing practical training have been on the front lines providing initial medical services to the public, a job they have done with great professionalism.
Dr. Kapologwe said they have visited all 10,893 households in Biharamulo District Council, where two out of the 17 wards of the Council have been affected by the disease.
He noted that the work done is to provide education on the importance of adhering to all health regulations to protect themselves from the disease as well as to disseminate messages so that citizens can get rid of misconceptions.
Dr. Kapologwe said 13 areas have been set aside for citizens who were close to the victims, of whom 64 are health workers.
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Speaking after receiving the report, the Chief Medical Officer of the Government, Dr. Grace Magembe, thanked the efforts made by the experts in collaboration with the district leadership and stressed that providing education to citizens is important during this period so that they know what to do to stay safe.
Dr. Magembe said that Community-level health workers are the frontline of the health sector that provides primary services and information, so they should realize that the Government relies on them in solving health challenges at the community level.
In addition, Dr. Magembe has urged citizens to report any unusual symptoms to medical facilities in advance, and urged health workers to consider wearing protective clothing to protect themselves from disease.
Thank you for sharing updates with us on this. Is there any communication plan that was elaborated since the outbreak has started? If yes, can you share it with us?