WHO and Tanzania in a conflicting report over Marburg outbreak

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania

World Health Organization (WHO) and Tanzania government have found themselves in a conflicting report over the outbreak of deadly Murburg virus in northwest Tanzania.

On Tuesday, January 14 WHO published a report informing its Member States and IHR State Parties of an outbreak of suspected Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania using their secure web-based platform—the Event Information Site (EIS).

In the summary of the situation, the WHO report alleges that on 10 January 2025, it received reliable reports from in-country sources regarding suspected cases of MVD in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania.

“Six people were reported to have been affected, five of whom had died. The cases presented with similar symptoms of headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, haematemesis (vomiting with blood), malaise (body weakness) and, at a later stage of disease, external haemorrhage (bleeding from orifices).”

WHO further stated that as of 11 January 2025, nine suspected cases were reported including eight deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR) of 89%) across two districts of Biharamulo and Muleba. 

“Samples from two patients have been collected and tested by the National Public Health Laboratory. Results are pending official confirmation.” the report indicated.

Minister of Health, Jenista Mhagama

The WHO report has been vehemently denied by the government of Tanzania claiming that laboratory results for all suspected individuals were negative for Marburg Virus without disclosing the cause of the said deaths.

In a press release signed by the Minister of Health, Jenista Mhagama on January 15; the government said that it has strengthened disease surveillance systems.

“The Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania has received information on suspected Marburg Viral Disease (MVD) outbreak in Kagera Region. Following this information, the Ministry has immediately taken several measures including: deployment of a team of experts to the area; event investigation; collection of specimen and laboratory testing. As of 15th January 2025, laboratory results for all suspected individuals were negative for Marburg Virus.” Mhagama said.

She further stated that: “The Ministry would like to assure the general public as well as the international community including the World Health Organisation (WHO) that it has strengthened disease surveillance systems and will be updating the public accordingly.”

This alarming development comes just weeks after neighboring Rwanda declared its own outbreak of the deadly virus officially over.

The Marburg virus, a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate of up to 88%, is closely related to Ebola. 

Both viruses are endemic to East Africa and are believed to be transmitted to humans through fruit bats. The recent Tanzanian outbreak has been reported in the Kagera region, which shares a border with Rwanda.