The African Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) has pledged its support to Tanzania and other countries in the region where suspected cases of the infectious Marburg Virus Disease have been identified.
According to Director General, Jean Kaseya on Friday, the center is ready to assist, despite the Tanzanian Health Ministry’s announcement that laboratory results from all suspected individuals were negative for Marburg Virus.
“As of the 15 of January 2025, laboratory results from all suspected individuals were negative for Marburg Virus,” Tanzanian Health Minister Jenista Mhagama said in a statement.
Kaseya also expressed concern about another infectious disease, Mpox, which “remains a public health concern”. He noted that while Mpox had afflicted 20 countries in December 2024, a new country, Sierra Leone, has been added to the list after a recent outbreak.
Sierra Leonean health authorities confirmed two cases of Mpox on January 10, with dozens of contacts being traced. With thousands of confirmed Mpox cases and over 1000 deaths across Africa, mainly in Central Africa, Kaseya emphasised the need for increased testing.
The Africa CDC plans to deploy additional epidemiologists and community health workers to areas considered hot spots of infectious diseases in the region over the next few months. This move aims to strengthen the continent’s response to disease outbreaks and ensure timely support to affected countries.
