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No more Marburg cases in Tanzania-Health Minister

Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu

THE outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in Tanzania’s Northwestern Region- Kagera has been officially contained, but authorities will maintain active surveillance for 42 more-days before declaring an end to the outbreak.

Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu announced today (Saturday, April 29, 2023) in Dar es Salaam.

“We expect to declare an end to Marburg virus outbreak at the end of next month (May 31, 2023) should there be no new cases,” she told reporters citing the decision as part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) directives.

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At least six people including a healthcare provider and the 18-months child died when nine people contracted the disease that hit the far northwestern part of the country in March this year.

Two patients were left under the specialized facility for monitoring and medical treatment. “As of April 21, 2023 the two patients were scientifically confirmed to be Marburg free,” Ummy told reporters.

“Those who survived the disease include a medical doctor who took care of the first Marburg patient.

“This demonstrates how urgent measures taken by the Government ensured total control of this disease and that it does not spread outside the affected families and to the health workers who attended the patients,” the Minister added.

Ms Ummy urged the general public to continue taking precautionary measures against the disease and other infectious diseases. She thanked the health experts, especially those on the front line in Kagera Region, including those who provided services to patients, and the contract tracing team.

She tasked health workers to comply with the Rules and Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).