Tanzania has successfully brought its second Marburg virus outbreak under control after ten fatalities, though experts warn that continued vigilance is necessary due to the virus’s animal reservoir. The outbreak, confirmed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on January 20, 2025, in Biharamulo District, reignited fears among residents, many of whom still recall the grim scenes of the 2023 outbreak. The sight of healthcare workers in protective gear and emergency burials remains fresh in their memories.
Despite initial panic, swift action by health authorities has helped contain the spread. President Hassan, speaking alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, emphasized that lessons learned from the previous outbreak, which claimed six lives, guided their response. Surveillance teams were immediately deployed, and containment measures were enforced, focusing on isolating individuals who had been in contact with confirmed cases. Dr. Martin Rwabilimbo, the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) focal person for Kagera Region, stressed that rapid isolation was key to stopping further transmission.
Health officials have since worked tirelessly on contact tracing and public awareness campaigns, urging communities to remain vigilant. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak is now under control. As of February 10, 2025, ten cases had been reported, with two confirmed through laboratory testing and eight classified as probable. Sadly, all ten patients succumbed to the disease, resulting in a 100% case fatality rate. No new cases have been reported since January 21.
Dr. Norman Jonas, National Coordinator for the Community-Based Health Services Program, highlighted the role of community health workers in the response. More than 191 workers in Biharamulo District have been conducting daily visits to educate households on prevention measures. Their grassroots engagement has been instrumental in curbing further transmission by equipping communities with knowledge about the virus.
Despite these efforts, anxiety remains high among Tanzanians. Many compare Marburg to Ebola due to its severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever symptoms. The disease, which spreads from fruit bats to humans and then through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, has had fatality rates ranging from 22.7% to as high as 88%. Currently, there are no fully approved vaccines or antiviral treatments, though promising candidates, such as the one developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute, are in clinical trials. Until a viable treatment becomes available, early supportive care remains the best chance for survival.
The containment of the outbreak has also been aided by improved preparedness. In December 2024, just before the latest outbreak, Tanzania participated in a WHO-led simulation exercise designed to test emergency response plans for a potential Marburg outbreak. This training, involving 40 experts across multiple sectors, helped refine strategies for swift and effective outbreak containment.
However, local authorities recognize that medical interventions alone are not enough. Cultural practices, such as kissing the deceased and large funeral gatherings, pose significant risks for virus transmission. Kagera Regional Commissioner Hajjad Fatma Mwasa has called for behavioral changes, urging communities to modify burial and social customs to prevent further outbreaks. Officials have also encouraged Tanzanians to limit unnecessary social contact to minimize risks.
While the latest Marburg outbreak has been successfully contained, authorities stress that continued vigilance is necessary. The lessons learned from both the 2023 and 2025 outbreaks have strengthened Tanzania’s response mechanisms, but the persistent threat posed by the virus’s animal reservoir means that communities must remain prepared for future outbreaks.
