The Tanzanian Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday that a mysterious disease responsible for the deaths of five people has been identified as Marburg haemorrhagic fever, a virus similar to Ebola.
Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu reassured the public that the government has taken measures to control the spread of the disease and urged citizens to remain calm. Three patients are currently undergoing treatment in hospital, while the authorities are tracing 161 contacts.
The Marburg virus, part of the filovirus family, causes severe fever, organ failure, and bleeding, and has a high fatality rate. The virus is thought to have originated from African fruit bats, which carry the virus without becoming ill.
The WHO applauded Tanzania’s swift response to the outbreak and is ready to assist in the response. Neighboring Uganda, which had its last outbreak in 2017, is on high alert. While there are currently no vaccines or antiviral treatments, potential treatments are being evaluated.
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