Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus in the north-western region of Kagera.
This announcement, made during a joint press conference with the World Health Organization (WHO) , follows earlier denials of cases by Health Minister Jenista Mhagama.
President Samia revealed that one case had been confirmed, while 24 suspected cases tested negative.
The WHO had earlier reported a suspected outbreak on 14th January, citing nine cases and eight deaths over five days in Kagera. However, the cause of these deaths remains unclear.
The government has dispatched a rapid response team to monitor and manage the situation.
Tanzania experienced its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023 in the Bukoba district. It killed six people and lasted for nearly two months.
WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the global risk from Tanzania’s current outbreak was “low”.
“Even though there is no approved treatment or vaccines, outbreaks can be stopped quickly,” he said. “WHO advises against restrictions. Now is the time for collaboration.”
On Thursday, Africa CDC, the African Union’s public health agency, said more than 300 contacts had been identified for further testing. Health workers make up 56 of these contacts, while 16 on the list are known to have had direct contact with those suspected to have had Marburg.