The President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Hassan, has pledged to address the reoccurred Marburg virus disease outbreak in the northwestern Kagera region of the country.
Her Excellency Hassan assured the public of being determined to address the disease outbreak following its confirmation after one person tested positive for the Marburg virus.
Hassan made this assurance on Monday during a conference briefing with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the country’s capital, Dodoma.
“We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
Belonging to the family of Ebola viruses, Marburg virus disease is rare, described as highly virulent, and causes hemorrhagic fever, which can lead to high fatality. The virus is transmitted to human from fruit bats and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials
This came shortly after the completion of laboratory analysis and investigation of the suspected cases of the disease.
On 20 January, all the 25 suspected cases tested negative and were placed under watch, the President revealed, as it has been reported at Biharamulo district in Kagera.
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“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. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative.
In collaboration with WHO, the Tanzanian health authorities are working closely to combat the spread to other regions.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr. Tedros.
“Now is a time for collaboration and commitment to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania and the region from the risks posed by this disease.”
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, highlighted that the measures and declaration by the President Hassan are significant in addressing the threat to local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread.
“Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,” the WHO Regional Director for Africa said.
In 2023, the country had reported her first Marburg virus outbreak at Kagera region which claimed six lives along with nine suspected cases.
