By Ebi Kesiena
Kenya has heightened its vigilance after Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the northwestern Kagera region.
In a statement issued from Nairobi by Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards in Kenya’s Ministry of Health, it was noted that while Kenya has not reported any cases of MVD, the country is at high risk due to significant cross-border movements with Tanzania and other neighbouring countries.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to safeguarding the health and safety of all Kenyans. As part of this commitment, we are enhancing preparedness through the development of a comprehensive Marburg Virus Disease Preparedness and Response Plan,” Muthoni stated.
The heightened alert follows Tanzania’s confirmation of its latest Marburg virus outbreak in the Kagera region, where one positive case was identified during investigations into suspected infections.
As of Monday, Tanzanian authorities reported 25 suspected cases, all of which have tested negative but remain under close observation. This comes after Tanzania’s first-ever MVD outbreak in March 2023, also in Kagera, which resulted in nine cases and six fatalities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In Kenya, nationwide surveillance has been intensified across all counties and at points of entry to mitigate the risk of the deadly disease.
“We urge the public to adhere to health guidelines and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms resembling those of Marburg virus disease,” Muthoni emphasised.
Marburg virus, a highly contagious disease, is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials, according to the WHO.
Previous MVD outbreaks and sporadic cases in Africa have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
