The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Thursday that Tanzania has officially declared the Marburg virus outbreak over after 42 days of no new infections.
WHO representative in Tanzania Charles Sagoe-Moses stressed that despite the end of the outbreak, authorities remain vigilant and are providing psychosocial support to families affected by the virus.
The outbreak, which began in the northwestern Kagera region on January 20, has claimed the lives of 10 people, including two confirmed cases and eight probable cases. The last confirmed death occurred on January 28.
A highly contagious disease related to Ebola, Marburg virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever and is transmitted from fruit bats to humans. It can be spread through direct contact with body fluids, contaminated surfaces and materials.
Outbreaks have previously been reported in several African countries, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.