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. 2024 Sep 5;19(9):e0309762.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309762. eCollection 2024.

Epidemiological description of Marburg virus disease outbreak in Kagera region, Northwestern Tanzania

Vida Mmbaga  1 , George Mrema  1   2 , Danstan Ngenzi  1 , Welema Magoge  1 , Emmanuel Mwakapasa  1 , Frank Jacob  1 , Hamza Matimba  3 , Medard Beyanga  3 , Angela Samweli  4 , Michael Kiremeji  4 , Mary Kitambi  4 , Erasto Sylvanus  4 , Ernest Kyungu  5 , Gerald Manase  5 , Joseph Hokororo  6 , Christer Kanyankole  7 , Martin Rwabilimbo  7 , Issessanda Kaniki  7 , George Kauki  8 , Maria Ezekiely Kelly  8 , William Mwengee  8 , Gabriel Ayeni  8 , Faraja Msemwa  8 , Grace Saguti  8 , George S Mgomella  9 , Kokuhabwa Mukurasi  9 , Marcelina Mponela  9 , Eliakimu Kapyolo  10 , Jonathan Mcharo  10 , Mary Mayige  10 , Wangeci Gatei  9 , Ishata Conteh  11 , Peter Mala  12 , Mahesh Swaminathan  9 , Pius Horumpende  13 , Paschal Ruggajo  13 , Grace Magembe  14 , Zabulon Yoti  8 , Elias Kwesi  4 , Tumaini Nagu  15
Affiliations

Epidemiological description of Marburg virus disease outbreak in Kagera region, Northwestern Tanzania

Vida Mmbaga et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: In March 2023, a Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak was declared in Kagera region, Northwestern Tanzania. This was the first MVD outbreak in the country. We describe the epidemiological characteristics of MVD cases and contacts.

Methods: The Ministry of Health activated an outbreak response team. Outbreak investigation methods were applied to cases identified through MVD standard case definitions and confirmed through reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). All identified case contacts were added into the contact listing form and followed up in-person daily for any signs or symptoms for 21 days. Data collected from various forms was managed and analyzed using Excel and QGIS software for mapping.

Results: A total of nine MVD cases were reported with eight laboratory-confirmed and one probable. Two of the reported cases were frontline healthcare workers and seven were family related members. Cases were children and adults between 1-59 years of age with a median age of 34 years. Six were males. Six cases died equivalent to a case fatality rate (CFR) of 66.7%. A total of 212 individuals were identified as contacts and two (2) became cases. The outbreak was localized in two geo-administrative wards (Maruku and Kanyangereko) of Bukoba District Council.

Conclusion: Transmission during this outbreak occurred among family members and healthcare workers who provided care to the cases. The delay in detection aggravated the spread and possibly the consequent fatality but once confirmed the swift response stemmed further transmission containing the disease at the epicenter wards. The outbreak lasted for 72 days but as the origin is still unknown, further research is required to explore the source of this outbreak.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Epi curve for MVD cases and deaths in Bukoba District, Kagera region, Tanzania from February 27 to May 31, 2023.
Fig 2
Fig 2. A map showing distribution of MVD cases in Kagera region, Tanzania from February 27 to May 31, 2023.
Map was drawn using QGIS desktop software 3.26.3. The shapefiles used were from an openly available source (https://www.nbs.go.tz/statistics/topic/gis). The shapefiles were made based on the 2012 population and housing census, but in this study, shapefiles have been modified to capture all the regions information.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Distribution of MVD contacts in Bukoba Districts, Kagera region, Tanzania from February 27 to May 31, 2023.
Map was drawn using QGIS desktop software 3.26.3. The shapefiles used were from an openly available source (https://www.nbs.go.tz/statistics/topic/gis). The shapefiles were made based on the 2012 population and housing census, but in this study, shapefiles have been modified to capture all the regions information.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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