Five dead as Tanzania confirms outbreak of Marburg virus

The Ministry of Health in Tanzania has confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus. 

Through a statement, Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said that up to eight people have been infected with the virus and five have been reported dead. 

"Three patients are currently under medication," she read. 

Ummy urged Tanzanian residents to stay vigilant, stating that the government has put in place measures that will reduce the spread of the virus.

"As of today, the virus has not been reported in other parts of the country and people who were in contact with the infected are being monitored," she said.

According to World Health Organization, Marburg, is in the same family with Ebola.

It is a highly infectious and often fatal hemorrhagic fever.

The disease is transmitted to people from contact with fruit bats and their faeces. For example, male mine workers in bat-infested mines were infected.

It then spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials touched by infected people.

The symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain. The WHO says the disease begins abruptly with high fever, severe headache and malaise. 

In July 2022, Ghana confirmed its first two cases of the virus, 98  people were placed under quarantine as suspected contact cases.