The Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania has announced the confirmation of two cases of the virus that causes Mpox. This is the first time the disease has been detected in the country since outbreaks were reported in several neighboring countries.
This development follows the collection and testing of samples from suspected individuals displaying symptoms of the disease. According to the Ministry’s statement, one of the suspects was a truck driver who had traveled from a neighboring country and entered Dar es Salaam.
The announcement comes just days after a video circulated online showing a person with rash-like symptoms, similar to those of a Mpox patient. In the video, the individual is heard informing a relative that he had been admitted after being diagnosed with the disease.
“Hey, Brother Masoud, I’ve been given a bed here. They call this place Kipawa, Kipawa Majani ya Chai. There’s a VETA school, and right there at VETA, there’s a hospital where I have been admitted. I’ve been brought here with other patients with this disease. We are all here, receiving treatment. Even if you come to see me, you won’t be allowed to enter. You will stand outside, and maybe I will step out, but we will talk through the window,” the individual said in the video.
The Ministry of Health stated that in collaboration with the President’s Office (RALG) and all healthcare facilities, it continues to monitor, investigate, and identify any additional suspected cases to ensure timely medical intervention.
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Humans can contract the disease through contact with infected animals, their bodily fluids, or contaminated meat. Additionally, once a person is infected, the virus can be transmitted to others through direct physical contact.
The Ministry of Health has reassured the public that the government is well-prepared to handle the disease, drawing on its experience in managing previous outbreaks.
In a separate health update, the government has reported that since announcing the presence of the Marburg virus on January 20, 2025, no new cases have been recorded for 41 days. This success is attributed to the preventive measures implemented to control the outbreak.
