Possible Marburg Virus Outbreak in Tanzania

On January 14, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a possible outbreak of the Marburg virus in the Kagera region of Tanzania. This is the same region where patients with the Marburg virus were reported in March 2023. On January 11, 2025, Tanzanian authorities reported 9 possible cases of Marburg virus infection, of which 8 people have died. The cases have been reported in the districts of Biharamulo and Muleba.

There is no official laboratory confirmation of the virus in the patients, so it cannot be determined with absolute certainty that it is the Marburg virus. Among the deceased patients are family members and a healthcare worker. Source and contact tracing has revealed that more than 200 people have been in contact with these 9 patients. These include family members, people who attended funerals, and healthcare workers from local hospitals near Biharamulo.

The Tanzanian authorities have sent a team to the region to assist, but much is still unclear about the severity and extent of this possible outbreak.

More information: WHO news report (external link)

Read more about Marburg virus disease.