Dar es Salaam, March 14, 2025 (IANS) – The Tanzanian government has officially declared the end of the country’s second Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak, following a 42-day period without new cases. Minister of Health Jenista Mhagama confirmed that the last recorded case of MVD was reported on January 28, 2025, and as of March 11, no further cases had been identified, meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for declaring the outbreak over.
“Scientifically, we have met the criteria for declaring the end of the MVD outbreak. Thus, today, March 13, 2025, I hereby officially declare the end of the MVD outbreak in the country,” Minister Mhagama announced.
The latest outbreak, which was initially declared on January 20, 2025, by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, marked Tanzania’s second recorded incidence of MVD. The previous outbreak in 2023 resulted in nine cases and six fatalities. The latest case was identified in Biharamulo District through laboratory tests conducted at the Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in the northwestern region of Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam.
In response to the outbreak, the Tanzanian government, in collaboration with stakeholders and international partners, implemented stringent containment measures. According to the WHO, over 1,000 frontline health workers received training in disease surveillance, contact tracing, clinical care, and public health risk communication.
WHO Representative in Tanzania, Charles Sagoe-Moses, praised the concerted efforts of health workers, national authorities, and international partners in controlling the outbreak. “The dedication of frontline health workers, along with the efforts of national authorities and our partners, has paid off. While the outbreak has been declared over, we remain vigilant and ready to respond swiftly if any new cases are detected. We are also supporting ongoing efforts to provide psychosocial care to families affected by the outbreak,” he stated.
Despite the successful containment of MVD, Minister Mhagama emphasized that Tanzania remains at risk of other highly infectious diseases, including Ebola, which has been reported in neighboring countries, as well as mpox, with two recent cases confirmed in Tanzania and additional cases reported globally.
The Marburg virus, a highly virulent pathogen belonging to the same family as the Ebola virus, causes hemorrhagic fever and has been associated with previous outbreaks in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
The WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Tanzania in strengthening its health security framework and preparedness measures to prevent future outbreaks of MVD and other infectious diseases.
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