$3 Million Investment to Combat Marburg Virus Outbreak in Africa: The Urgent Call for Vaccination Before Travel

The World Health Organization (WHO) has today verified an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the northwestern Kagera region, within the Biharamulo district.

The President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, revealed during a press conference on January 20, 2025, that one suspected case has tested positive for the virus.

“Laboratory assessments performed at the Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera, which were later validated in Dar es Salaam, have identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Thankfully, other suspected patients tested negative,” states the president. “We have shown our capability to manage similar outbreaks (MVD) and are committed to doing so again.” 

A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported and are currently under intense monitoring, added the president.

As of early January 2025, eight deaths associated with MVD have been recorded.

Marburg virus disease is extremely contagious and leads to hemorrhagic fever. It is related to the family of the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Symptoms caused by the Marburg virus manifest suddenly. Patients typically display high fever, intense headache, and extreme malaise. They could show severe hemorrhagic symptoms within a week.

“The declaration made by the president and the initiatives taken by the government are vital in tackling the risk posed by this disease at both local and national levels and also in averting potential cross-border transmission,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to assist the government in rapidly expanding strategies to effectively respond to this outbreak and protect the health of the population,”

Tanzania previously registered its first MVD outbreak in March 2023, which resulted in six fatalities, yielding a case-fatality rate of 67%. 

Since 1967, MVD outbreaks have been documented in various nations. Earlier outbreaks and isolated cases have been reported in the African regions of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. 

The WHO indicates that the Marburg virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads among individuals through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, surfaces, and materials.

On January 20, 2025, the WHO confirmed it would allocate $3 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies to bolster Tanzania’s response. This is in addition to the $50,000 given earlier to assist the initial investigation. 

Given the low global risk and the robust capabilities of the Tanzanian government, the WHO recommends against imposing restrictions on trade and travel to the nation. As her Excellency stated, Tanzania is open for business. 

As of January 20, 2025, the U.S. CDC’s Level 1 – Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Advisory, informs international travelers of this health risk.

Additionally, the CDC confirmed that no vaccines for Marburg have received approval, although candidates are undergoing clinical trials.

In October 2024, the Sabin Vaccine Institute announced it provided 700 MVD vaccine candidates (PHV01) to the Republic of Rwanda to support the ongoing response to the disease outbreak.