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.

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

“We believe that, as Tanzania successfully controlled the outbreak two years ago, the country will manage to control this disease as well. WHO is providing $3 million to support control efforts and strengthen disease monitoring systems,” Dr Tedros said.

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 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.

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.