WHO says Tanzania Marburg virus disease outbreak resolved after no new cases in 42 days
Thanks to lessons learned from the 2023 Marburg outbreak, Tanzania’s public health system was better equipped to handle this crisis.
Tanzania has officially declared the end of its Marburg virus disease outbreak after recording no new cases for 42 consecutive days, following the death of the last confirmed case on January 28, 2025.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this marks the successful resolution of the outbreak, which began in January 2025 in the Kagera region, located in the north eastern part of the country.
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The outbreak, which was declared on January 20, 2025, saw a total of two confirmed cases and eight probable cases, all of whom tragically succumbed to the virus. This was Tanzania’s second Marburg virus outbreak, following a similar incident in 2023, also in the Kagera region.
Tanzania’s swift response to the outbreak was bolstered by significant support from WHO and other international partners.
National and regional health authorities set up robust coordination and response systems to detect and contain the virus.
Measures included enhanced clinical care, improved infection prevention protocols, and extensive community engagement to raise awareness and prevent further spread.
Lessons from 2023 outbreak
Thanks to lessons learned from the 2023 Marburg outbreak, Tanzania’s public health system was better equipped to handle this crisis.
WHO played a key role by scaling up critical public health measures, including the training of more than 1,000 frontline health workers in essential skills such as contact tracing, clinical care and public health communication.
WHO also supplied over five tonnes of essential medical equipment and supplies to aid in the response.
“The dedication of frontline health workers and the efforts of the national authorities and our partners have paid off. While the outbreak has been declared over, we remain vigilant to respond swiftly if any cases are detected. We are also supporting ongoing efforts to provide psychosocial care to families affected by the outbreak,” said Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representative in Tanzania.
In line with their proactive approach, authorities are taking steps to strengthen local health facilities and enhance their capacity for future outbreak responses.
WHO and partners are procuring additional laboratory supplies and disease detection equipment to improve surveillance and detection.
What is the Marburg virus?
The disease is caused by a virus in the same family as the Ebola virus.
Illness caused by the Marburg virus begins abruptly and the disease is highly contagious and lethal.
Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
Outbreaks of Marburg virus disease have been historically reported in several African countries, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
This outbreak is a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases in Africa, and the critical need for continued preparedness and collaboration at both national and international levels to prevent and control future outbreaks.
As the situation stabilises, Tanzania and WHO continue to monitor for any signs of new cases, ensuring that public health measures remain in place and that the response system is ready for future challenges.
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