Kenya has raised its health alert after neighboring Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the northwestern Kagera region, a health official said Tuesday.
Although no cases have been reported in Kenya, the country remains at high risk due to significant cross-border movements, Mary Muthoni, principal secretary for public health and professional standards in Kenya’s Ministry of Health, said in a statement.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to protecting the health and safety of all Kenyans. Consequently, preparedness is being enhanced through the development of a Marburg virus disease preparedness and response plan,” Muthoni stated.
The alert follows Tanzania’s confirmation on Monday of one positive Marburg virus case during investigations into suspected infections in the Kagera region. Tanzanian authorities reported that 25 suspected cases had been identified as of Monday, all of which tested negative but remain under observation.
This marks Tanzania’s second MVD outbreak in Kagera, following the first in March 2023, during which nine cases and six deaths were reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Kenya has bolstered surveillance nationwide, including at all border points, to prevent the disease from spreading. “We strongly advise the general public to adhere to public health measures and seek medical attention at the nearest health facility if experiencing symptoms consistent with Marburg virus disease,” Muthoni said.
The Marburg virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or materials, according to the WHO.
Previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in several African countries, including Angola, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.