Health chiefs have sounded the alarm over a suspected outbreak of the deadly “eye-bleeding disease” Marburg virus after eight people died.
Symptoms include aches and pains, high fever, weakness and chills. Severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day.
From around five days, patients can develop bleeding, and in the most severe cases, death usually occurs between eight and nine days after symptoms begin.
Nine suspected cases and eight fatalities have been reported in two districts of Tanzania – Biharamulo and Muleba.
Some of the victims are understood to be healthcare workers, who are particularly at risk of being infected during an outbreak.
The World Health Organisation warned that the risk of the outbreak spreading to neighbouring countries is high due to significant cross-border travel.
The disease typically kills around half those infected, but case fatality rates have varied from 24 to 88% in previous outbreaks. There are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments.
Bats carries the disease and often transmitted to humans by animals, particularly during exposure in mines or caves that are home to fruit bat colonies.
It can also spread between humans via direct contact through broken skin or mucous membranes with blood secretions or other bodily fluids.
The WHO said the global risk posed by the outbreak was considered low, with “no confirmed international spread at this stage, although there are concerns about potential risks”.
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said further cases were expected in the coming days as disease surveillance improves.
He added: “Marburg virus disease is an infectious, severe and often fatal disease caused by a filovirus. Rapid action saves lives, including ensuring people with symptoms receive prompt care.
“We recommend neighbouring countries be on alert and prepared to manage potential cases. We do not recommend travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time.”
