East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 30th January, 2025: The East African Community (EAC) has expressed solidarity with the United Republic of Tanzania and other stakeholders following the confirmation of a Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in the Kagera Region, north-western Tanzania. With two confirmed cases and 18 suspected cases reported, this marks Tanzania's second encounter with the deadly virus since the 2023 outbreak in the same region.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, praised Tanzania's leadership and the invaluable support provided by global partners in addressing the outbreak. He emphasized that such collaboration underscores the significance of unity and shared responsibility among nations during health crises.
“This outbreak highlights the importance of regional solidarity and swift action,” said Hon. Ariik, acknowledging the critical role of coordinated efforts in mitigating the impact of health emergencies.
Hon. Ariik further reaffirmed the EAC’s commitment to standing with Tanzania and all EAC Partner States in managing the current health emergency. He stressed that the EAC would continue to prioritize enhancing regional capacities to respond to such crises while strengthening collective preparedness for future threats.
Tanzania’s experience in managing the 2023 outbreak in Bukoba District, which resulted in nine cases and six fatalities, has equipped the country with critical expertise in outbreak containment. The EAC Secretariat is encouraging Partner States to share best practices and technical expertise to enhance the regional response to this outbreak.
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