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The Ministry of Health has confirmed two cases of Mpox in the country following a surveillance report received on March 7, 2025.
Health authorities were alerted about individuals exhibiting symptoms such as rashes on the face, hands, feet, and other body parts, accompanied by fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle pain, and back pain.
Among the suspected cases was a truck driver who had recently traveled from a neighboring country to Dar es Salaam.
Following the report, samples were collected and sent to the National Laboratory for testing. On March 9, 2025, laboratory results confirmed that two individuals had tested positive for the Mpox virus.
These are the first confirmed cases of Mpox in Tanzania.
In response, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the President’s Office - Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI) and all health service providers, is intensifying monitoring, investigations, and contact tracing to identify other potential cases and provide immediate medical care where necessary.
Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans, with monkeys and rodents being the primary carriers.
Humans can contract the virus through direct contact with infected animals, their fluids, or contaminated materials.
Once infected, a person can spread the virus to others through close physical contact, including skin-to-skin contact and exposure to bodily fluids.
The Tanzanian government is fully prepared to contain the outbreak, leveraging its experience in managing past disease outbreaks.
Key measures already in place include enhanced disease surveillance across all regions, rigorous border screenings to prevent cross-border transmission, public awareness campaigns to educate communities on prevention, and medical interventions to provide timely treatment for suspected cases.
To protect yourself and others, the Ministry of Health urges all citizens to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility if experiencing symptoms or call the toll-free emergency number 199 for assistance.
Avoid sharing personal items such as clothing, bedding, and towels used by an infected person. Refrain from direct physical contact, including shaking hands, hugging, kissing, or engaging in intimate relations with someone showing symptoms. Avoid contact with bodily fluids of an infected person.
Caregivers and health workers should follow strict infection prevention protocols, including wearing protective gear.
Washing hands frequently with soap and running water or using hand sanitizers can also help minimize the risk of infection.
The Ministry of Health will continue to provide regular updates on the situation. The public is advised to remain alert, follow recommended preventive measures, and avoid misinformation while continuing their daily activities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry also provides an update on the Marburg virus outbreak. On January 20, 2025, the government announced an outbreak of Marburg virus disease.
However, containment efforts have been highly successful, and as of March 10, 2025, no new cases have been reported for 41 consecutive days.
This progress reflects the effectiveness of the government’s public health response and ongoing efforts to safeguard citizens against infectious diseases.