In March 2023, Tanzania experienced its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, a rare and deadly hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. That outbreak also occurred in the Kagera region, which borders Uganda and Rwanda.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced a confirmed case of the Marburg virus in the country. The diagnosis came after laboratory tests conducted in Kagera and confirmed in Dar es Salaam. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attended the press conference in Dodoma.

Officials previously questioned whether the deadly disease was indeed present in the African country, which had seen 8 suspected Marburg deaths.

Tanzania’s president says one sample from a remote northern part of the country has tested positive for Marburg disease, a highly infectious virus which can be fatal in more than 88% of cases without

Dr. Tedros highlighted the collaborative effort, stating, “WHO is committed to supporting Tanzania in bringing this outbreak under control while working toward a healthier and safer future for all.”

Tanzania's president has announced an outbreak of Marburg virus, an Ebola-like virus, just a week after her health minister denied that there were any cases in the country. President Samia Suluhu Hassan said at a press conference on Monday that health authorities had confirmed one case of Marburg in the north-western region of Kagera.