Possible Marburg in Tanzania

Level 4 - Avoid All Travel
Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel
Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions
Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

Key points

  • Tanzania is experiencing a possible Marburg virus disease (Marburg) outbreak in the Kagera region in northwest Tanzania (see map).
  • Local health authorities in Tanzania are working to identify infected people and sources of transmission, conduct investigations, take action to prevent further transmission, and educate communities and the public about the risks and dangers of Marburg.
  • If you travel to Tanzania, you should:
    • Review Health Information for Travelers to Tanzania for information on routine precautions travelers should take when traveling to Tanzania.
    • Consider getting travel insurance before you travel, including health and medical evacuation insurance, to cover yourself in case delays, injuries, or illnesses occur on your trip.
    • Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
    • Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
    • Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, participating in funeral or burial rituals, or attending a funeral or burial. 
    • Avoid contact with fruit bats or entering the caves and mines where they live.
    • Avoid contact with nonhuman primates (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas).
  • Watch your health for symptoms of Marburg while in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving. If you develop fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness):
    • Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
    • Do not travel. 
    • Contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice. Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility prepare for your arrival, including contacting health authorities and taking any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients. 

Traveler Information

Clinician Information

Information for Organizations

Region of Tanzania (Kagera) with possible Marburg virus disease outbreak
Region of Tanzania (Kagera) with possible Marburg virus disease outbreak (View larger)
What is Marburg?

Marburg virus disease (Marburg) is a rare and deadly disease that has, at times, caused outbreaks in several African countries. The disease is named after the city in Germany where it was first reported in 1967.

Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness).

Marburg is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of a person infected with or who has died from Marburg. It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects (such as clothing, bedding, needles, and medical equipment) or by contact with animals, such as fruit bats and nonhuman primates, who are infected with Marburg virus.

Infection with Marburg virus is often fatal. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg.