Tanzania faces a deadly Marburg virus outbreak claiming 8 lives in Kagera Learn about the virus containment efforts and Africa CDCs swift action to prevent its spread

Tanzania is grappling with a new outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease which has already claimed at least eight lives in the north-western Kagera region.

A case of the bleeding virus Marburg has been confirmed in Tanzania, a week after authorities denied there was an outbreak. The deadly illness similar to Ebola is highly infectious, and can kill up to 88% of people without treatment.

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed on Monday that there was a new outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the East African country.

Tanzania has confirmed a new case of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region, following 25 negative tests. Dozens of individuals remain under observation as the government works to contain the outbreak.

The government, through the Ministry of Health, has outlined measures to curb the spread of the Marburg virus after the cases was reported in the neighboring country, Tanzania. During a press conference held on Thursday,

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

Tanzania has confirmed a Marburg outbreak after one sample tested positive, following earlier denials and a prior outbreak in Rwanda.

Tanzania’s president says one sample from a remote northern part of the country has tested positive for Marburg disease.

The disease is a close cousin of Ebola, causing similar symptoms and spreading in the same way. It can cause death in up to 88% of infected people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a suspected outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in the Kagera region of northwestern Tanzania, with nine people reportedly infected, of whom eight have died.

In a statement, Dr. Richard Dawood, an adviser to the African Travel & Tourism Association, said, "For the vast majority of tourist activities, the risk is virtually zero."