Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region. The Marburg virus, highly infectious and often fatal, is transmitted from fruit bats and monkeys to humans.
This marks the country’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following an outbreak in March 2023 that resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response, the Africa CDC has mobilized support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of 12 public health experts will be deployed, including epidemiologists, risk communicators, and laboratory experts, to provide on-ground support for surveillance, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has pledged US$2 million in support, citing the need for swift and decisive action to bring the outbreak under control. The agency will provide technical assistance to strengthen diagnostic capacity, improve case management protocols, and enhance treatment delivery.
Africa CDC is working closely with the Tanzanian government, regional partners, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: https://africacdc.org/news-item/tanzania-declares-marburg-outbreak-africa-cdc-mobilizes-immediate-response