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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.”