The Ministry of Health, represented by the Directorate General of Diseases Surveillance & Control and Emergency Management Center, monitors the Marburg hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is highly infectious, with a fatality rate of around 60% - 80%.

The Ministry would like to note that efforts are being made to contain the outbreak in its current geographical scope. The Ministry advises the public, at present, to postpone travel to the countries affected by Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) unless absolutely necessary. In case of an urgent need to be present in the epidemic countries, travelers should take the following precautions required to avoid MVD infection:

1. Avoid direct contact with patients with symptoms like fever, muscle ache, and skin rash, as well as avoid visiting areas affected by Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).

2. Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids, in general, from other people.

3. Avoid contact with fruit bats or visiting mines and caves inhabited by these bats. 

4. Avoid contact with animals such as chimpanzees and gorillas.

5. Travelers who are infected with fever, chills, muscle pain, skin rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unprovoked bleeding from anywhere or bruising during or after travel (till 21 days) should isolate themselves from others and head to the nearest healthcare institution (emergencies departments in hospitals). They should disclose to medical staff whether they have traveled to the infected areas or contacted people with Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).

The Ministry of Health is keeping up with the latest development in the epidemiological situation, contacting the other concerned authorities in public health emergencies, and updating procedures according to the follow-up data. The Ministry urges all citizens and residents to take information from the official sources of the Ministry and not pay attention to rumors.