Dar es Salaam. Following the confirmation of first Mpox cases in Tanzania, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Seif Shekalaghe issued a travel advisory on March 11, 2025.
The advisory outlines measures to prevent the spread of the Mpox virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024.
The guidelines are based on the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR) and require all travelers and border workers to follow preventive and control measures to curb the spread of the disease.
“Travelers and border workers must observe hand hygiene, maintain at least a one-meter distance from others, and report any suspected symptoms by calling the toll-free number 199, notifying the border health office, or visiting the nearest health facility,” the guidelines state.
“At border points, all travelers will undergo initial health screening, including body temperature checks, and those found with fever or rashes will undergo further medical examinations.”
Additionally, “anyone who has been in contact with Mpox patients will be advised to monitor their health and report to the nearest health facility or call the toll-free number 199 if they develop symptoms of Mpox.”
READ MORE: Tanzania Confirms First Two Cases of Mpox
The guidelines also emphasize public awareness about the disease, which will be provided at border points. Moreover, operators, owners, and drivers of vehicles have been instructed to comply with all health regulations and report any suspected cases immediately.
Two confirmed cases
Tanzania confirmed its first two Mpox cases on March 10, 2025. The suspected cases were initially reported on March 7, 2025, and were confirmed as Mpox infections on March 9, 2025.
Following these confirmed cases, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other health authorities, announced that surveillance efforts are ongoing to identify additional suspected cases and ensure they receive appropriate medical care.
Mpox originates from animals, particularly monkeys, and humans can contract the disease through direct contact with infected animals. The virus can also spread from person to person through close physical contact.Tanzania is not the first country to report Mpox cases. Other nations, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia, have previously reported cases and fatalities linked to the disease.
