Kagera Region, Tanzania – The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert regarding a suspected outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania. The outbreak was first reported on January 10, 2025, with six suspected cases, five of which resulted in death. By January 11, the number of suspected cases had risen to nine, with eight fatalities, resulting in a high case fatality ratio (CFR) of 89%.
The affected districts, Biharamulo and Muleba, have seen samples collected from two patients and sent to the National Public Health Laboratory for confirmation. Contacts, including healthcare workers, are under follow-up in both districts.
This is not the first time the Kagera region has faced an MVD outbreak. In March 2023, the region experienced an outbreak that lasted nearly two months, resulting in nine cases and six deaths. Fruit bats, known carriers of the virus, remain endemic to the area.
WHO has deployed national rapid response teams to investigate and manage the outbreak, with intensified surveillance and contact tracing efforts. The organization has emphasized the need for swift action and public awareness to control the spread of the disease.
The risk of the outbreak is assessed as high at the national level due to the severity and geographic spread of the cases. However, the global risk remains low.
For more information, visit the WHO Event Information Site (EIS).