BUKOBA: Authorities in Tanzania’s north-western Kagera Region have thanked the World Health Organization and the British High Commission in Tanzania for helping contain an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease, one of the world’s deadliest haemorrhagic fevers.
Regional officials said the assistance strengthened the region’s ability to respond to the outbreak by improving screening and treatment infrastructure.
Support included the installation of thermal scanners at entry points such as Bukoba Airport and Kemondo Port, as well as upgrades to isolation wards in Biharamulo and Muleba districts.
Health officials also conducted cross-border coordination meetings with neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi to strengthen surveillance and outbreak response.
Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus in Kagera in January 2025, after laboratory testing identified infections during investigations into suspected cases.
By January 20 of that year, 25 suspected cases and two deaths had been reported, prompting authorities to establish 13 isolation centres and quarantine hundreds of contacts.
Marburg virus is closely related to Ebola Virus Disease and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates.
Health officials urged the public to seek medical care early if they experience symptoms such as fever, vomiting or unexplained bleeding.
Kagera, which borders Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda and lies along Lake Victoria, is considered a high-risk area for cross-border infectious disease transmission.