In Africa

WHO ships 1.4 tonnes of essential medical supplies in support for Tanzania’s Marburg outbreak response

The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched 1.4 tonnes of critical medical supplies to Tanzania’s north-western Kagera region as part of efforts to combat an outbreak of Marburg virus disease.

The shipment, sent from WHO’s Regional Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi, includes diagnostic kits and personal protective equipment to bolster the country’s response.

A team of public health emergency experts from WHO has also been deployed to the region to work alongside Tanzanian health authorities. The experts are supporting efforts to enhance disease surveillance, strengthen diagnostic capacity, improve case management, and raise public awareness to curb further transmission of the virus.

“Our focus is to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and save lives by working closely with the government to ensure a coordinated and effective response,” said Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representative in Tanzania.

This collaborative effort includes an initial 20-member inter-agency team comprising professionals from Médecins Sans Frontières, the Tanzania Red Cross Society, and UNICEF. Together with national and local health officials, the team is working to ensure a swift and effective response to the outbreak.

As of January 23, 2025, two confirmed cases and 29 suspected cases of Marburg virus disease have been reported. Additionally, 281 individuals identified as contacts are under close observation.

This is Tanzania’s second encounter with a Marburg virus outbreak, the first having occurred in 2023 in the same region. Lessons from the earlier outbreak, coupled with investments in emergency preparedness, are proving instrumental in addressing the current situation.

WHO has allocated $3 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to accelerate outbreak control measures. The organization is committed to working with Tanzanian authorities and partners to contain the virus and prevent its spread.

Marburg virus disease, a severe and highly infectious illness, causes haemorrhagic fever and is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. While there are no approved treatments or vaccines for the disease, early supportive care can significantly improve patient outcomes.

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