Tanzania successfully controls Marburg Virus outbreak

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has confirmed that a single case of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) has been detected in Biharamulo District, Kagera Region.

She assured the public that the country has successfully controlled the spread of the disease.

This announcement comes six days after the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that eight individuals had died from suspected Marburg virus infections in the region.

Speaking alongside the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in Dar es Salaam yesterday, President Hassan reiterated that the nation had managed to contain the outbreak early on, with all suspected cases tested negative for the virus.

Read: Tanzania intensifies Marburg virus preventive measures

“Tanzania is safe, and we welcome all visitors for tourism and business,” she affirmed.

The President elaborated on the government's swift response, including dispatching a team of experts to investigate the issue, collect samples, and conduct laboratory tests.

She explained that the team was sent on January 11 to investigate the cases and to ensure that the public was informed. The samples were tested at the Kabaile Laboratory in Kagera before being sent for further analysis at the National Laboratory in Dar es Salaam.

“One person was found to be infected with the virus, while others tested negative except for other diseases,” President Hassan reported.

This marks the second time the country has experienced a Marburg virus outbreak, following the detection of cases in March 2023 in Bukoba District.

"As of January 20, 2025, 25 samples have been tested, and only one person has been found infected, making this the second outbreak. However, the country is currently safe, and no further infections have been detected," she added.

The President further stated that investigations into the source of the outbreak are ongoing.

In support of the efforts to contain the virus, Dr Tedros praised the country's swift action, commending President Hassan’s leadership for controlling the outbreak. He confirmed that WHO is providing a financial aid package of $3 million (approximately Sh7.5 billion) to support the response.

“We believe that, as Tanzania successfully controlled the outbreak two years ago, the country will manage to control this disease as well. WHO is providing $3 million to support control efforts and strengthen disease monitoring systems,” Dr Tedros said.

Dr Tedros also reiterated that Tanzania is now free of further infections and remains open to international activities, including tourism and business.

Earlier in the discussion, President Hassan spoke about the strong cooperation between Tanzania and WHO. She highlighted achievements in reducing maternal mortality by 80 percent from 556 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016/2017 to 104 in 2022.

The government has invested significantly in emergency services and health centres, with 70 percent of facilities now located within five kilometres of communities.

However, the President acknowledged ongoing challenges in reducing infant mortality. She mentioned that the government is working to ensure more neonatal services are available, including the establishment of special wards for newborns in every hospital.

In 2024, Tanzania launched a community health workers’ programme to provide care at the grassroots level. So far, 37,000 health workers have been recruited to support the provision of services, contributing to the goal of universal health coverage.

In 2023, the country passed a landmark health insurance law to ensure healthcare for all citizens, and the process of implementation is already underway.

“We succeeded in passing the health insurance law in 2023, and we are now working to complete its implementation,” President Hassan said.