Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Tanzania: Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak - Mar 2023

Disaster description

On 16 March 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Republic of Tanzania announced that seven cases and five deaths of an unknown disease had been reported in Kagera region (that borders Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi) in Bukoba rural, Maruku and Kanyengereko ward in Bulinda and Butayaibega villages. The cases were confirmed for Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) on 21 March 2023. The index case was reported to have a travel history from Goziba in Lake Victoria and developed symptoms upon returning to his village in Bukoba while the timeline for exposure and onset of symptoms remains unknown. Four other cases were from the same family as the index case. Two healthcare workers were also infected and one of them succumbed to the disease. This is the first officially declared Marburg Outbreak in Tanzania, although serological studies have found the presence of Marburg in bat populations in the region. As of 22 March 2023, a total of eight cases including five deaths (CFR 63.6%) have been reported, while another three cases are currently undergoing treatment in health facilities in the Kagera region. (IFRC, 30 Mar 2023)

A total of 17 confirmed cases and 12 deaths since the declaration of the outbreak on 13 February 2023 through 21 April 2023 have been reported. Among the 17 confirmed cases, three are survivors, 12 deaths, one is admitted and one with unknown outcome. (IFRC, 27 Apr 2023)

Tanzania today declared the end of the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak which was confirmed just over two months ago in the north-western Kagera region. It was the country’s first outbreak of the disease. A total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were recorded in the outbreak which was declared on 21 March after laboratory analysis confirmed that the cause of deaths and illnesses that were reported earlier in the region was Marburg. (WHO, 2 Jun 2023)

Affected Countries

Latest Updates

Maps and Infographics

Most Read

Other disasters affecting the countries