A travel medicine expert is cautioning
against overreaction following the Tanzania government's confirmation of an outbreak of the highly virulent Marburg virus in the northwestern Kagera region.
In a statement on the African Travel & Tourism Association's website, Dr. Richard Dawood, an advisor to the organization, said, "For the vast majority of tourist activities, the risk is virtually zero. Marburg is less easily transmitted than many viruses, though more severe when contracted."
According to the World Health Organization, Marburg causes a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, with symptoms like
high fever, severe headache, malaise and potentially life-threatening
bleeding. It can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with those infected or with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.
No licensed treatment or vaccine exists, though supportive
care can improve survival rates, the WHO said.
As of Jan. 23, there have been two confirmed cases of Marburg, with 29 suspected cases reported. The country is rapidly scaling up containment efforts with support from the WHO, including disease surveillance, testing, care and public awareness campaigns.
What clients should know
Dawood emphasized a "delicate balance" in communicating risks, saying overzealous travel restrictions can unnecessarily harm economies and societies, per WHO guidance.
Instead, Dawood advises tourism operators to reassure travelers while implementing appropriate health precautions and safety protocols in unaffected regions, enabling tourism to continue responsibly.
"Being open, honest and encouraging pretravel health measures allows informed travelers to continue with evidence-based practices," he said.
Tanzania, meanwhile, referenced its ability to control a prior Marburg outbreak in Kagera in 2023, when there were nine cases, with six resulting in deaths.
The Kagera region in Tanzania sees relatively low tourism numbers compared with other parts of the country.