The Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania is officially over, according to a March 13 declaration by Tanzanian health officials, marking a major breakthrough in the continent’s ongoing fight against highly deadly infectious diseases. This success reflects the effectiveness of the coordinated international health response, according to Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
After recording no new cases for 42 days since the last confirmed death case on January 28, 2025, Tanzania declared the end of the Marburg virus disease epidemic on March 13, 2025. According to Tanzanian authorities, this success reflects the effectiveness of coordinated international health response.
This 13th day of March 2025, I confirm, by order of the government and in accordance with international standards, that Tanzania is now free of the Marburg virus.
Jenista Mhagama, Minister of health
In Tanzania, the outbreak, declared on January 20, 2025, has resulted in ten deaths: eight probable cases and two laboratory-confirmed cases. Tanzanian authorities have implemented containment measures, with substantial technical and logistical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa CDC, including enhanced disease control and extensive training of frontline health workers.
We continue to strengthen our medical equipment, and we have 14 scanners that reassure us that we can test everyone who enters the country.
Jenista Mhagama, Minister of health
This is the second successful containment of the Marburg virus in Tanzania, following the outbreak in the same region of Kagera, in the northeast of the country, in 2023. As a reminder, in response to this recent outbreak, Tanzanian health authorities have put in place coordinated and response systems at the national and regional levels, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners. This includes strengthening control measures to quickly detect cases, improving clinical care and infection prevention, and strengthening collaboration with communities to raise awareness and help slow the spread of the virus.
