The Tanzanian government confirmed that the mysterious disease reported in the northeastern Kagera region is caused by the Marburg virus, local media Daily News reported on the 22nd (local time).
According to the report, Umi Umwalimu, Tanzania's Minister of Health, stated in a press conference held yesterday in the capital Dar es Salaam that the National Research Institute's investigation of patient samples confirmed the disease as Marburg fever.
Marburg fever was first discovered in Germany in 1967 and has since been reported in several countries across Europe and Africa. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's infectious disease website, the fatality rate of Marburg fever ranges from 24% to as high as 88%. Although there have been no cases reported domestically, it is designated as a Class 1 infectious disease under the "Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act."
Minister Umwalimu reported that since the disease was first reported last week, 5 out of 8 confirmed cases have died. The Tanzanian government is currently continuing treatment for 3 of the reported cases and is tracing contacts for 161 individuals in the region.
According to Minister Umwalimu, the main symptoms of Marburg fever include fever, headache, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney dysfunction. He added, "There is currently no specific treatment," and warned, "Human infection can occur if people eat or touch the carcasses of infected animals."
However, Minister Umwalimu emphasized that this viral disease is not new. Previously, it was reported several times in Uganda, which is close to Tanzania, in 2007, 2012, 2014, and 2017, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1998 to 2000. He stated, "There is no reason to issue a warning," and added, "We will cooperate with neighboring countries to ensure patients receive timely treatment."
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