Health experts are warning of an outbreak of a disease that has a high mortality rate and can cause bleeding from the eyes.

The Ebola-like virus that is untreatable has been reported in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania and the World Health Organization is warning about the outbreak of suspected Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).

“As of 11 January 2025, nine suspected cases were reported including eight deaths,” the WHO announced in a news release this week. “Samples from two patients have been collected and tested by the National Public Health Laboratory. Results are pending official confirmation. Contacts, including healthcare workers, are reported to have been identified and under follow-up in both districts.”

WHO informed its Member States and International Health Regulation State Parties of an outbreak of suspected Marburg Virus Disease in the Kagera region of #Tanzania

So far, we are aware of 9 suspected cases incl. 8 deaths across 2 districts.

WHO risk assessment of this… pic.twitter.com/y1CUJg3adh

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 14, 2025

The March 2023 outbreak in the Bukoba district saw nine cases including six deaths over two months and concerns are going about it spreading to neighbouring countries such as Rwanda and Burundi.

“On 10 January 2025, WHO received reliable reports from in-country sources regarding suspected cases of MVD in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania,” the news release noted.

“Six people were reported to have been affected, five of whom had died. The cases presented with similar symptoms of headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhoea, haematemesis (vomiting with blood), malaise (body weakness) and, at a later stage of disease, external haemorrhage (bleeding from orifices),” it continued.

On 13 January 2025, @WHO informed its Member States and International Health Regulations (IHR) State Parties of an outbreak of suspected #Marburg Virus Disease in Kagera region, #Tanzania, using our secure web-based platform – the Event Information Site (EIS).

Under the IHR,… pic.twitter.com/3LmCyweyxZ

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 14, 2025

“The source of the outbreak is currently unknown,” the WHO noted, assessing the risk level as “high” for the current outbreak.

And while the “regional risk is considered high ” because of  the area’s location as a hub for transit, the global risk was assessed as being “low.”

“There is no confirmed international spread at this stage, although there are concerns about potential risks,” the news release explained.

“Human-to-human transmission of Marburg virus is primarily associated with direct contact with the blood and/or other bodily fluids of infected people,” the organization noted, advising infected persons to be isolated “in a designated treatment centre.”

“Community and family members should avoid caring for symptomatic individuals at home, and avoid touching bodies of people deceased with MVD symptoms,” the message continued.

In a post on X, the WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus advised neighboring countries to “be on alert and prepared to manage potential cases,” adding, “We do not recommend travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time.”

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Frieda Powers

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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