Tanzania says there are no signs of Marburg fever outbreak in the country – 01/16/2025

Tanzania says there are no signs of Marburg fever outbreak in the country – 01/16/2025
Tanzania says there are no signs of Marburg fever outbreak in the country – 01/16/2025

The Tanzanian government says no one in the country has tested positive for the Marburg virus after the World Health Organization (WHO) said at least eight people in the northwest were believed to have died from this virus.

“As of January 15, 2025, laboratory results for all suspected persons were negative for Marburg virus,” Jenista Mhagama, Tanzania’s health minister, said in a statement released late Wednesday.

Earlier today, WHO said it had received reliable reports of suspected cases of Marburg virus in the Kagera region on January 10.

The victims had typical Marburg symptoms, including headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting blood, muscle weakness and external bleeding.

This viral hemorrhagic fever, whose mortality rate can reach 88%, belongs to the same family of viruses as the Ebola virus, which is transmitted to humans via fruit bats endemic in certain regions of Africa from the East.

After receiving information about the suspected cases, Mr Mhagama said the ministry took immediate action, including deploying a team of experts to the area, investigating the events, collecting specimens and laboratory tests.

Tanzania experienced its first Marburg outbreak in 2023, recording nine cases, including six deaths, in the same region.

In his statement, the minister said Tanzania had “strengthened disease surveillance systems” in response to reports of the outbreak.

Tanzania was criticized during the COVID-19 outbreak for not sharing infection data and ignoring preventive measures.

-

-

PREV Africa Finance Corporation successfully issues its first perpetual hybrid bond
NEXT World Cup. Reiteralm: Melvin Tchiknavorian signs a new podium