Tanzania has dismissed reports of a suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in the northwest of the country, following alarming claims by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO had earlier reported that nine suspected cases had been identified in the remote Kagera region, resulting in eight fatalities.
Local residents had expressed concern, with some adapting their behaviors to reduce the risk of infection. “We have refrained from greeting each other by shaking hands, as was the custom in the past,” said Finton Ishengoma, a local man. “Instead, we greet from a distance while continuing to follow the guidance of health experts on how to protect ourselves from this disease.”

However, Tanzania’s Health Minister, Jenista Mhagama, announced that after conducting laboratory tests, all suspected cases were confirmed to be negative for the Marburg virus, a deadly hemorrhagic fever closely related to Ebola. Mhagama reassured the public that despite the negative results, the government had taken preventive measures, including enhancing disease surveillance and monitoring systems.

The suspected cases had raised concerns about the spread of Marburg, particularly in light of its high fatality rate, which can reach up to 88%. The Kagera region, which borders Uganda and Rwanda, had been identified as a transit hub, making it a critical point for monitoring potential cross-border transmission.
Health experts have noted that Marburg, like Ebola, is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, such as bedding. Symptoms of the virus include fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, vomiting, and severe bleeding, often leading to death.
While no authorized vaccine or treatment exists for Marburg, swift isolation and monitoring are critical in controlling outbreaks. The situation had raised alarms, particularly as it followed a recent Marburg outbreak in neighboring Rwanda, which had been declared over in December 2023.
The Tanzanian government’s response has emphasized vigilance and preparedness, though the public can be reassured by the negative results from the recent tests.