Tanzania faces a deadly Marburg virus outbreak, claiming 8 lives in Kagera region. The government and WHO are mobilizing efforts to prevent further spread.

Tanzania is grappling with a new outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease which has already claimed at least eight lives in the north-western Kagera region.

The disease is a close cousin of Ebola, causing similar symptoms and spreading in the same way. It can cause death in up to 88% of infected people.

Tanzania has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for

Officials previously questioned whether the deadly disease was indeed present in the African country, which had seen 8 suspected Marburg deaths.

Tanzania's president said a sample tested positive for the Marburg virus, which has a fatality rate of up to 88 percent if untreated.

Tanzania has confirmed a new case of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region, following 25 negative tests. Dozens of individuals remain under observation as the government works to contain the outbreak.

A case of the bleeding virus Marburg has been confirmed in Tanzania, a week after authorities denied there was an outbreak. The deadly illness similar to Ebola is highly infectious, and can kill up to 88% of people without treatment.