The World Health Organisation WHO says Tanzania confirmed its first-ever cases of Marburg Virus Disease after conducting laboratory tests in the country’s northwest Kagera region.
WHO, in a statement, said lab tests were carried out after eight people in the region developed symptoms of the “highly virulent” disease, including fever, vomiting, bleeding and kidney failure.
Five of the eight confirmed cases have died, including a health worker, and the remaining three are being treated.
The agency also identified 161 contacts of those infected, who are currently being monitored.
While this is the first time Tanzania has recorded a Marburg case, the country has first-hand experience responding to other crises including COVID-19, cholera and dengue within the past three years.
