Situation Report: Marburg Cases Rise in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania
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Updated Case Count in Equatorial Guinea
On March 22, 2023, the World Health Organization released new information on the outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Equatorial Guinea. Since the last update in late February, eight more confirmed cases have been detected, bringing the total to 29 confirmed and probable cases. All but two are deceased.
Cases have now been reported in three different provinces across an area of about 90 miles. Not all cases are epidemiologically linked, suggesting the potential for undetected community transmission. With 29 confirmed and probable cases, this outbreak is already the fourth largest on record.
Tanzania Reports First Outbreak of Marburg
On March 21, 2023, Tanzania reported the country’s first Marburg outbreak. To date, there have been at least eight cases, five of them fatal, including a health care worker. Three people are receiving treatment, and 161 contacts have been identified and are being monitored.
International Spread and Advice for Health Care Workers
Although no cases of Marburg have been reported outside Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, the risk of international spread cannot be ruled out. It’s unlikely that the United States will see cases of Marburg virus disease. However, health care workers should always screen patients for signs and symptoms and review their travel and exposure history (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/abroad/assessing-vhf-returning-traveler.html, Accessed 3/24/2023) to determine whether they might be infected with the virus. They should always follow an identify, isolate, and inform strategy to prevent transmission.
