Kenya on high alert after Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania

The Ministry of Health in Kenya says it is on high alert and has heightened surveillance at all border points following the declaration of an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in neighbouring Tanzania.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Acting Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth said the Ministry has directed all County Health officials to be vigilant for any suspect cases for proper and timely management.

“The Ministry has activated its surveillance and response mechanisms and enhanced surveillance at all border points between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The Ministry has also directed all County Health Officials to be vigilant to identify and isolate any suspect cases for proper and timely management,” reads the statement.

While underscoring the dangers of the untreatable virus which has so far claimed five lives in Tanzania, Amoth said that the ministry would remain vigilant to ensure all regions bordering affected areas have good surveillance.

According to the statement, so far, there are eight reported cases in Bukoba, Kagera Province which is in the North Western part of Tanzania and the South-Western shores of Lake Victoria.

Bukoba is Tanzania’s second largest port after Mwanza on Lake Victoria which is served by the Bukoba Airport all interjoined with Kisumu in Kenya through ferries and road transport.

Dr Amoth noted that there is also substantial human traffic between Tanzania and Kenya through informal land and maritime border crossing points along the South Western border with Northern Tanzania.

The Ministry has thus cautioned about the impact of MVD, which is scientifically classified under Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) and is in the same category as the Ebola Virus, both in symptoms and transmission.

“Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is often a serious and fatal disease caused by the Marburg virus and has a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of up to 88%, but can be much lower with good patient care,” he said.

Marburg has its roots in West Africa and its patients are said to have often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset up to the time of death.

The symptoms of the virus include severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting may follow shortly, with the diarrhoea persisting for a week.

In fatal cases, Amoth says many patients develop severe bleeding manifestations often with fresh blood seen in vomitus and faeces which is accompanied by bleeding from the nose, gums, and vagina.

The largely infectious virus spreads through body fluids in broken skin or mucous membranes and with surfaces such as bedding or clothing contaminated by an infected person. People remain infectious as long as their blood contains the virus.

The Ministry has implored on anyone with a history of travelling to Tanzania or those who exhibit any symptoms to report to any health facility for a check-up.

"The Ministry wishes to inform the general public to be on high alert and report any unusual increase in individuals presenting with high fever (hotness of the body) of unknown cause, and especially those with a history of travel to Tanzania," stated the notice.

"Such individuals are advised to immediately report to the nearest health facility for assessment and management. For any enquiries call the following numbers, 0729 47 14 14 or 0732 35 35 35 or 719."