The Marburg Virus Disease has been identified in Tanzania, with nine cases confirmed to date. Tragically, eight of the infected individuals have succumbed to the illness, prompting the World Health Organization to issue a fresh alert.
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A chilling warning has been issued by the World Health Organisation after a new outbreak of a dangerous virus that has left at least eight people dead.
Two districts in the northwest Kagera region of Tanzania have reported outbreaks of the Marburg virus, known for its high fatality rate. Now the World Health Organisation (WHO) is investigating a total of nine suspected cases, of which eigh of those resulted in deaths in the districts of Biharamulo and Muleba.
Known as the "bleeding eyes" disease, Marburg has a 50-50 survival rate and is believed to be among the deadliest diseases on earth. There are fears of the brutal illness spreading as the location of the outbreak is highly populated and used as a "hub".
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On January 10, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that they had obtained "reliable information from local sources" about six suspected Marburg cases, with five fatalities among the infected. The following day, the number of cases increased to nine, with eight deaths recorded. The WHO stated: "The patients exhibited comparable symptoms including headaches, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, haematemesis (vomiting blood), malaise (general weakness), and, in the later stages of the illness, external hemorrhaging (bleeding from bodily openings)."
"With enhanced disease surveillance, we anticipate additional cases in the days ahead," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X. "The WHO is committed to providing comprehensive support to the Tanzanian government and the communities impacted. Marburg virus disease is a serious and often deadly illness caused by a filovirus. Quick intervention is crucial for saving lives, particularly by making sure that individuals exhibiting symptoms receive immediate medical attention."
"We advise that neighboring nations remain vigilant and ready to handle any potential cases. Currently, we do not suggest implementing travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania."
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Samples were collected from two patients and analyzed by the National Public Health Laboratory. The World Health Organization has indicated that contacts, including healthcare professionals, have been "identified and are being monitored in both districts."
The horrifying disease often kills its victims through blood loss or shock and you can be infected without symptoms for 21 days while the disease incubates in your body, before symptoms start abruptly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. Marburg exists in bats, but does not seem to harm them with outbreaks seeming to occur when the virus is passed from a bat to a human before it is then able to spread through the human population.
According to the WHO, “Once the Marburg virus is introduced into the human population, it can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as through contact with surfaces and materials (such as bedding and clothing) that have been contaminated with these fluids.”
Individuals are unable to spread the disease until they exhibit symptoms, and they can remain contagious as long as the virus is present in their bloodstream. The incubation period for the virus ranges from two to 21 days, following which symptoms may manifest suddenly.
In a statement released on its website, the WHO reported: "The Kagera region's Bkoba district witnessed its initial outbreak of MVD in March 2023, with zoonotic reservoirs like fruit bats being endemic to the region. This outbreak persisted for almost two months, resulting in nine reported cases, of which six were fatalities."
