BIHARAMULO, Tanzania (BG) – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have deployed public health experts to Tanzania’s northwestern Kagera region after an outbreak of Marburg virus disease.

In a statement on Friday, WHO’s Regional Office for Africa said its team is part of an initial 20-member inter-agency group that includes Médecins Sans Frontières, the Tanzania Red Cross Society, and UNICEF.

The group is working with national and local health officials to strengthen disease surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and case management while raising public awareness to prevent further virus transmission.

Africa CDC Steps Up Support

In response to the outbreak, Africa CDC announced earlier this week that it is committing $2 million and a team of 12 experts to help Tanzania contain the disease.

“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC’s director-general.

“Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” he said.

The multidisciplinary Africa CDC team includes epidemiologists and experts in risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory diagnostics.

As of Jan. 23, 2025, two confirmed and 29 suspected cases had been reported. WHO said 281 contacts are being closely monitored.

Tanzania’s Second Marburg Outbreak

“Our focus is to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and save lives by working closely with the government to ensure a coordinated and effective response,” said Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO representative in Tanzania.

This marks Tanzania’s second outbreak of Marburg virus disease, following the successful containment of the first in 2023 in the same region.

Lessons learned from that experience, coupled with investments in emergency preparedness, are aiding the current response.

WHO said it has allocated $3 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to accelerate control efforts.

Marburg virus disease is a highly contagious illness that causes hemorrhagic fever.

It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials.

While no treatments or vaccines exist, early supportive care can improve patient outcomes.