In response to the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Tanzania, the Ugandan Ministry of Health, along with Kyotera District Health authorities, has ramped up surveillance and monitoring efforts at the Mutukula border post and other key entry points.
The outbreak, which originated in Tanzania's Kagera Region, specifically affects the districts of Biharamulo and Muleba. MVD, a severe and often deadly disease caused by a virus in the same family as Ebola, has already claimed the lives of eight individuals, with several others, including healthcare workers, now under close observation.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Senior Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Health, confirmed the Ministry’s awareness of the situation and stated that all relevant health departments have been alerted to enhance surveillance and screening at border crossings. "We are actively preparing to prevent the virus from entering the country," Ainebyoona said.
Dr. Edward Muwanga, District Health Officer for Kyotera, reported that all travelers crossing into Uganda at the Mutukula border post are being thoroughly screened to ensure the country remains protected from the virus. This effort mirrors the strict border control measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and the previous Marburg outbreak in Tanzania in 2023.
Yassin Ssentamu, Chairman of Kagera Cell 10 in Kasensero Town Council, pointed out that several key entry points, including the Kasensero landing site, Mutukula, Nangoma, and Minziiro, are critical for monitoring due to frequent cross-border movement for trade and personal activities. However, Ssentamu noted that local authorities have not yet sent a team to monitor Tanzanian nationals crossing into Kasensero, which raises concerns about potential risks to the local population.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) is still investigating the source of the outbreak, they have reported nine cases, eight of which resulted in fatalities. WHO's Chief, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that international health regulations have been activated, and further cases are expected as disease surveillance increases. "We have already informed all relevant parties, and we anticipate more cases as surveillance efforts continue," Ghebreyesus stated.
As of January 11, 2025, the WHO confirmed a total of nine suspected cases, including eight deaths, from Biharamulo and Muleba. Efforts to test patient samples at the National Public Health Laboratory are ongoing.
This is not the first MVD outbreak in the region. A similar outbreak in March 2023 saw nine cases, six of which resulted in death. Uganda is taking proactive steps to protect its population from further transmission of the virus as the situation in neighboring Tanzania evolves.
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