Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is supporting the response to an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Tanzania’s Kagera region, following the official declaration of the outbreak by Tanzanian authorities on January 20, 2025. The response is being carried out under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.
An MSF team with experience responding to epidemics is in the Kagera region to strengthen local response capacity by training frontline health care staff and providing essential protective and medical equipment. Our teams are working alongside the Ministry of Health and other partners including the World Health Organization (WHO).
"The Tanzanian authorities have made significant efforts to contain the epidemic and promote collaboration between various health agencies," said MSF head of mission Tommaso Santo. "For the time being, our response is focused on technical aspects, such as reinforcing case management capacities and implementing infection prevention and control measures.”
MSF will ensure that its response to the Marburg virus outbreak contributes effectively to limiting its impact on affected communities and preventing the disease from spreading further. As of January 28, the Ministry of Health has reported two confirmed cases, two deaths among confirmed cases, and eight additional probable deaths. There are also 64 suspected cases and 281 contacts being monitored for symptoms of the disease.
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FAQ: Marburg virus disease
According to WHO, Marburg virus disease is a severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, which is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads through person-to-person contact. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding.
Marburg virus disease is highly dangerous, with a mortality rate ranging from nearly 25 percent to almost 90 percent, depending on the outbreak and the availability of medical care. Without prompt treatment, the disease can quickly lead to organ failure and death.
Immediate isolation of infected individuals, rigorous contact tracing, and the establishment of treatment centers with proper infection control measures are critical. Public health campaigns and quarantine measures should also be enforced.
An efficient response to such an outbreak involves key pillars usually coordinated by local health authorities with the support of medical and technical partners such as WHO, MSF, and other international partners. Containment strategies such as isolation of cases, safe burials, contact tracing, and information dissemination need to be rapidly put in place in order to educate local communities and families living in the area on how to better prevent contamination.
Key pillars to ensure an efficient response to an hemorrhagic fever outbreak such as Marburg usually include:
- Early detection and surveillance: Surveillance systems aim to quickly identify suspected cases and track the spread of the virus, using case reporting systems and diagnostic labs.
- Rapid response teams and training: This includes the deployment of experienced response teams providing training to health workers on infection control and case management while ensuring they are equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Isolation and treatment centers*: Set up specialized treatment centers for infected patients, ensuring proper isolation, intensive care, and access to treatments.
- Community engagement and education: Engage local communities to raise awareness about transmission risks, prevention methods, and safe burial practices, while promoting cooperation with health authorities and control measures.
- International collaboration and resource mobilization: Under the coordination of national health authorities, share resources, expertise, and logistical support, ensuring that the necessary equipment such as PPE, medical supplies, and staff are available.
- Safe burial practices: Implement safe burial practices to prevent the spread of the virus during funerals and while handling the deceased.
* A treatment center for Marburg virus disease is usually equipped with isolation units, PPE for health care workers, and diagnostic facilities for rapid virus detection. These centers provide intravenous fluids, electrolyte management, and intensive monitoring, while minimizing the risk of cross-contamination between patients and health care workers. Additionally, they can serve as a hub for infection control and for educating the community about preventive measures.
Improving daily hygiene practices, avoiding excessive physical contact with others, and following health advisories for quarantine and travel restrictions issued by official bodies can all help reduce the risk. Practically speaking, this means:
- Avoiding contact with symptomatic people and bodily fluids, and any instruments, utensils, or items that could contribute to transmitting the disease.
- Regular handwashing with soap and water, disinfecting surfaces, and using hand sanitizer.
- Avoiding touching sick or dead animals, especially fruit bats, which can be a source of transmission.
- Ensuring that bodies of deceased people are handled by trained personnel following safe burial protocols to prevent further exposure.
- Complying with quarantine and travel restrictions issued by health authorities and practicing social distancing when recommended.
Currently, MSF and other international partners are supporting the Ministry of Health’s surveillance systems, emergency response teams, and treatment centers, as well as capacity building, training, and resources.
During the previous Marburg outbreak in Tanzania in 2023, MSF rapidly deployed an experienced team to support the Tanzanian health authorities by setting up isolation units, providing trainings to medical staff, and assisting with the implementation of infection and prevention control measures.
Tanzania has made significant strides in strengthening its health system over the years, especially in its response to infectious disease outbreaks. However, factors like limited resources, infrastructure gaps, and the need for specialized equipment and trained medical staff can present challenges to its capacity to respond.
