Africa: 'No Marburg Confirmed In Tanzania', But Mpox Remains 'Public Health Emergency

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that no cases of Marburg virus disease have been confirmed in Tanzania, despite initial reports of suspected cases. The WHO has been supporting the country's response to the situation, and a team of experts has been deployed to assist with the investigation and containment efforts.

The suspected cases were reported in the northern region of Tanzania, and the WHO has been working closely with the Tanzanian government to investigate the situation. However, after conducting thorough tests and investigations, no cases of Marburg have been confirmed.

"We are pleased to announce that no cases of Marburg have been confirmed in Tanzania," said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. "However, we remain vigilant and continue to support the country's response to the situation."

Meanwhile, the mpox outbreak in Africa remains a major public health emergency. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has described the situation as a "major public health emergency" and has urged governments to intensify their containment efforts.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been reported in several countries in Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. The disease has also been reported in other parts of the world, including Europe and North America.

The WHO has highlighted the importance of community engagement and early detection in controlling outbreaks. "We need to work together to prevent the spread of these diseases," said Dr. Moeti. "Community engagement and early detection are key to controlling outbreaks and preventing further spread of the disease."

Rwanda has been cited as an example of a successful response to a Marburg outbreak. In 2017, the country reported a Marburg outbreak, but was able to quickly contain it and prevent further spread of the disease. The WHO has praised Rwanda's response, saying that it was a model for other countries to follow.

The WHO has also urged governments to strengthen their health systems and improve their capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks. "We need to be prepared for any eventuality," said Dr. Moeti. "We need to have strong health systems in place to detect and respond to outbreaks quickly and effectively."

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