Tanzania has confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in its northwest region. President Hassan and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the situation, highlighting response efforts and funds allocated to contain the virus.

The Ministry of Health has enhanced surveillance and screenings in all points of entry to the country following reports of a Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania. Last week, the World Health Organisation announced a suspected Marburg virus outbreak which has affected part of the neighbouring country. Tanzania has, however, dismissed the report.

Marburg virus 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.

Tanzania's president has announced an outbreak of Marburg virus, an Ebola-like virus, just a week after her health minister denied that there were any cases in the country. President Samia Suluhu Hassan said at a press conference on Monday that health authorities had confirmed one case of Marburg in the north-western region of Kagera.

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 positive case of Marburg virus in a remote northern region. Marburg is a lethal pathogen, with a mortality rate of up to 88% in untreated cases. This virus, akin to Ebola, originates from fruit bats and transmits through close contact with infected individuals' bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.