Tanzania Confirms New Case of Deadly Marburg Virus

The announcement follows earlier reports of suspected cases and deaths in the Kagera region, with WHO pledging support to contain the outbreak.

• Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed one positive case of the Marburg virus in the Kagera region, with 25 other samples testing negative.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) initially reported nine suspected cases and eight deaths in Kagera, though the cause of the deaths remains unconfirmed.
• This marks Tanzania’s second Marburg outbreak since 2023, when the virus affected nine people and caused six deaths in the same region.
• Marburg virus, similar to Ebola, has a fatality rate of up to 88% and spreads through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces, with no approved vaccine or treatment available.
• WHO and African health agencies are assisting Tanzania with outbreak control measures, including testing, treatment centers, and public awareness campaigns, while assessing the global risk as low.

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