An outbreak of the Marburg virus was been detected in northern Tanzania.
The Marburg Virus outbreak killed 10 people in total in Tanzania. It was declared on January 20, 2025, and officially ended on March 13, 2025, after 42 days without any new cases.
What are the symptoms?
Severe Headaches
Aching joints
high fever
gastric disturbance
unexplained bleeding
Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day.
Within a week, many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms, which can include bleeding under the skin or from orifices such as the mouth, eyes or ears, and internal organs bleeding.
In fatal cases, death normally occurs on day eight or nine.
According to the WHO, the average fatality rate is around 50% but as many as 88% of infected patients can die depending on the strain and infection management.
How does it spread?
The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats.
It spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids, such as bedding.
People remain infectious as long as their blood contains the virus and burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body can also result in infection.