2023 Marburg virus disease outbreak in Tanzania

2023 Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in Tanzania

The 2023 Marburg virus disease outbreak in Tanzania was a significant public health event that occurred in Tanzania in the year 2023. The outbreak was caused by the Marburg virus, a highly infectious and deadly pathogen that causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates.

Background

The Marburg virus is a member of the Filoviridae family, which also includes the Ebola virus. The virus is named after Marburg, the city in Germany where it was first identified in 1967. The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission.

Outbreak

The 2023 outbreak in Tanzania was first reported in early January. The initial cases were traced back to a cave inhabited by Rousettus fruit bats, the natural reservoir of the Marburg virus. The outbreak quickly spread to several regions in the country, with the highest number of cases reported in the Dodoma and Morogoro regions.

Response

The Tanzanian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international partners, responded swiftly to the outbreak. Measures taken included active case finding, contact tracing, laboratory testing, safe and dignified burials, and community engagement.

Impact

The 2023 Marburg virus disease outbreak had a significant impact on public health, the economy, and social structures in Tanzania. The outbreak strained the country's healthcare system and disrupted routine health services. The economic impact was also significant, with disruptions to trade and tourism.

See also

• Marburg virus disease
• Epidemiology of Marburg virus disease
• 2023 in Tanzania