Tanzania Confirms New Case of Marburg Virus in Kagera Region

Tanzania Confirms New Case of Marburg Virus in Kagera Region

Tanzania has confirmed a new case of Marburg virus in the Kagera region, marking the second outbreak of the highly infectious disease in the country. President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced that laboratory tests conducted at Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan

Fortunately, 25 other samples from suspected patients came back negative for Marburg and other illnesses. The confirmed case follows a previous outbreak in March 2023, also in Kagera.

Health officials are working to contain the virus, but Tanzania’s Ministry of Health assured the public that there is no cause for widespread concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed confidence in Tanzania’s ability to manage the situation, advising against any trade or travel restrictions to the country.

Marburg virus, which can be fatal without proper treatment, causes symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, death due to significant blood loss. While this outbreak has raised alarm, the WHO notes that the global risk remains low, thanks to Tanzania’s robust health response.

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