Tanzania declares end to Marburg Virus outbreak

Dar es Salaam. The government on Thursday, March 13 declared the end of the second outbreak of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) after 42 days of monitoring.

The outbreak of MVD was declared on January 20 this year by President Samia Suluhu Hassan after two cases were confirmed in Biharamulo District, in the Kagera Region, which borders Uganda to the north, Rwanda to the west and Burundi to the southwest. Both patients lost their lives while on treatment.

“The last confirmed MVD case was reported on January 28, 2025. As of March 11, 2025, forty two (42) days have passed since the last confirmed case was reported,” the minister for Health, Jenista Mhagama, said in a statement.

“Scientifically, we meet the criteria for declaring the end of MVD outbreak. Thus, today March 13, 2025, I hereby officially declare the end of MVD outbreak in the country,” she added.

MVD is a deadly is a deadly disease and can spread from one person to another via direct contact of body fluids of an infected person.

If not contained timely, it causes serious consequences including loss of life.

The first outbreak was declared in 2023 and the second outbreak declared on January 20, 2025.

“Since the declaration of the outbreak the government in collaboration with stakeholders and partners jointly took stringent measures to contain and control the outbreak in the affected District of Biharamulo,” Ms Mhagama said.

She urged the public to remain vigilant and continue observing all recommended measures and adopt positive behaviours including hand washing using running water, soap or hand sanitizer and timely report all rumours and unusual events in the community using toll-free hotline number 199 or nearby health facility.

“We should also be aware that the country remains at risk of other highly infectious diseases, including Ebola which has been reported in neighbouring countries and Mpox which has recently been declared in our country and continues to be reported worldwide,” Ms Mhagama said.

In a similar statement the World Health Organisation said it worked closely with Tanzanian health authorities to rapidly scale up key measures such as disease surveillance and trained more than 1000 frontline health workers in contact tracing, clinical care and public health risk communication to contain the second outbreak of MVD in Tanzania.

“The Organisation also delivered over five tonnes of essential medical supplies and equipment,” WHO said in a statement.

Zanzibar heightens Mpox measures

Meanwhile, Zanzibar has outlined the measures it is taking to combat the spread of Mpox which was declared in Tanzania on Monday.

Zanzibar Minister for Health, Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, said that although no cases have been reported on the island, the government is prepared to prevent the disease.

“The measures being taken include disease surveillance at health facilities and screening of travellers entering and leaving through major entry points such as airports and ports,” he said in a statement.

Additionally, the government is enhancing health education and raising awareness in the community to encourage people to take preventive measures against Mpox and other infectious diseases.

Despite the efforts, the ministry is urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures.

These measures include seeking medical attention at health centres for screening and treatment upon noticing symptoms of the disease or calling the toll-free number 190 for assistance.