Disease Outbreak News - 13 March 2025 - WHO

The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) Response Plan outlines Tanzania’s national strategy for responding to a Marburg virus outbreak declared in the Kagera Region in January 2025. The document describes the current epidemiological situation, assesses the risks posed by the outbreak, and sets strategic o ... bjectives to contain the disease and prevent further transmission. It details response measures across multiple sectors, including surveillance, laboratory testing, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, logistics, and community engagement. Furthermore, the plan defines coordination mechanisms, operational procedures, monitoring indicators, and the financial resources required to implement the response. Overall, the plan serves as a comprehensive framework to guide national and international stakeholders in controlling the outbreak and protecting public health. more

The purpose of this interim guidance is to provide recommendations for planning and implementing RCCE activities that protect and empower communities during MVD outbreaks. The guidance is designed for national and subnational health responders involved in RCCE for MVD readiness and response. It is a ... lso relevant to other stakeholders, such as partner organizations, ministries (such as those involved in social protection), and academics, who contribute to RCCE activities. The document is meant to be adapted alongside national multi-risk/ multisectoral plans, leveraging existing expertise, coordination mechanisms and partnerships. more

On 17 October 2017, the Ugandan Ministry of Health notified WHO of a confirmed Marburg outbreak of Marburg Virus disease (MVD) in Kween district, Eastern Uganda. The outbreak was officially declared by the Ministry of health on 19 October 2017. As of 7 November, four cases of MVD have been reported ... - two confirmed (dead), one probable (dead) and one suspected. Other patients, previously reported as suspected cases, have since tested negative for the virus. WHO has been implementing the Emergency Response Plan since 20 October 2017 when the Ministry of Health officially declared the outbreak. The Emergency Response Plan was developed on several assumptions which may now need to be revised. more

Filoviral hemorrhagic fever (FHF) is caused by ebolaviruses and marburgviruses, which both belongto the family Filoviridae. Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) are the most likely natural reservoir for marburg viruses and entry into caves and mines that they stay in has often been associated ... with outbreaks of MVD. On the other hand, the natural reservoir for ebola viruses remains elusive;however, handling of wild animal carcasses has been associated with some outbreaks of EVD. In thelast two decades, there has been an increase in the incidence of FHF outbreaks in Africa, some beingcaused by a newly found virus and some occurring in previously unaffected areas such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, in which the most recent EVD outbreak occurred in 2014. Indeed, the predicted geographic distribution of filoviruses and their potential reservoirs in Africa includes manycountries in which FHF has not been reported. To minimize the risk of virus dissemination inpreviously unaffected areas, there is a need for increased investment in health infrastructure in African countries, policies to facilitate collaboration between health authorities from different countries, implementation of outbreak control measures by relevant multi-disciplinary teams and education of the populations at risk. more