The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an alarm over a potential new outbreak of the Marburg virus in north-west Tanzania, where at least eight people have succumbed to the illness.

According to the WHO's announcement on Tuesday, nine suspected cases have emerged in the Kagera region within the last five days. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted on X that "We would expect further cases in the coming days as disease surveillance improves."

Marburg virus disease, which shares similarities with Ebola, manifests through symptoms like fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, potentially leading to death due to severe blood loss.

Tanzania previously faced its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023 in the Bukoba district, which resulted in six deaths over an approximately two-month period. The current outbreak has yet to be officially confirmed by Tanzanian authorities.

The WHO has reported that health workers among others have been identified for monitoring, and rapid response teams are on the ground to track and contain the spread.

Despite the high risk of regional spread due to Kagera's role as a transit hub with connections to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, the WHO has not recommended any travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time. The global risk is currently considered "low."

The recent outbreak in neighboring Rwanda concluded in December after infecting 66 people and causing 15 deaths.

The Marburg virus, known for its high mortality rate of about 50%, is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and then through human-to-human contact via bodily fluids. There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for Marburg, though clinical trials are underway. (ILKHA)