Tanzania is battling a lethal Marburg Virus outbreak, particularly in the Kagera region. The outbreak has resulted in nine deaths with a fatality rate nearing 90%. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Marburg Virus Disease as a rare but severe and often fatal illness in humans. While scientists have initiated a human vaccine trial, there is currently no cure or vaccine available. The UK government has issued travel advisories, recommending travelers to Tanzania to be prepared for temperature checks and mandatory exit screening.
Tanzania is battling a deadly Marburg Virus outbreak. The Kagera region is particularly hard-hit, with 10 active cases classified as Marburg, although only two have been officially confirmed. The outbreak has already claimed nine lives, pushing the fatality rate close to 90%. The UK government's official website, Gov.
uk, now carries a warning for British travelers: 'The Government of Tanzania issued a travel advisory note on 21 January, mandating that travellers have their body temperature checked at all points of entry following an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Kagera region. You must be ready to show your return or onward ticket at border control.' Travelers departing from the Kagera region will undergo mandatory exit screening and must complete an online form. This region triggered a significant outbreak in 2023, raising concerns about its potential spread as it serves as a transit hub bordering Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Marburg Virus Disease as a rare but severe and often fatal illness in humans, with past outbreaks revealing fatality rates ranging from 24% to 88%. Scientists at Oxford University initiated the first human vaccine trial for Marburg virus last June, but there is still no available cure or vaccine. Treatment currently relies on supportive care and addressing individual symptoms, according to Birmingham Live. Early symptoms of the virus can include a high fever, severe headache, and intense body discomfort. As the illness progresses, muscle aches and pains are common, followed by severe watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cramping. Some patients may also develop a non-itchy rash within the first week of symptom onset. The WHO cautions: 'In fatal cases, death most often occurs between eight and nine days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.' Transmission among humans occurs through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as exposure to contaminated surfaces and materials such as clothing. Importantly, individuals become contagious only once symptoms appear, which can range from two days to three weeks after infection. Amid this health concern, the Foreign Office continues to advise travelers to Tanzania not to overlook vaccinations against common diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and cholera. Additionally, the department highlights that some visitors may face the risk of altitude sickness in certain regions of the country
Marburg Virus Tanzania Outbreak Kagera Region WHO Fatality Rate Vaccine Trial Travel Advisory
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