In brief
Tanzania has denied a recent WHO report indicating a suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus, confirming that all analyzed samples returned negative results.
Tanzania has rejected claims by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding a suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in the Kagera region, located in the northwest of the country. The WHO expressed concerns earlier this week, stating that they had identified nine suspected cases, including eight fatalities over five days. In response, Health Minister Jenista Mhagama assured the public that all tested samples were negative for the virus. Mhagama emphasized that Tanzania's health system has been bolstered with enhanced surveillance and monitoring protocols to ensure public safety. She stated, “We would like to assure international organizations, including WHO, that we shall always keep them up to date with ongoing developments.”This announcement follows Tanzania's first Marburg outbreak, which occurred in March 2023 in the Bukoba district, resulting in six deaths. The Marburg virus is known for its alarming symptoms similar to those of Ebola, which include fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and potentially fatal hemorrhaging.Despite Tanzania's firm stance, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has cautioned that the situation may still change as the region improves its disease surveillance measures. The WHO has reported that healthcare workers and patients have been identified and are under monitoring, with rapid response teams dispatched to manage the situation and identify potential cases.To mitigate fears of an international outbreak, Dr. Tedros mentioned that the organization's global risk assessment of the situation was low, yet highlighted that local cross-border movements in Kagera with neighboring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo heighten the region's vulnerability.Tanzania’s Health Minister did not disclose the total number of suspected cases investigated but assured that laboratory results had effectively ruled out a new Marburg outbreak. Since December, neighboring Rwanda successfully contained a Marburg outbreak that infected 66 individuals and claimed 15 lives. Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available for the Marburg virus, although studies are ongoing to develop solutions.
