The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has reassured visitors from various countries and tourism stakeholders that the Zanzibar islands are safe and there have been no reported cases of Marburg virus since it was first discovered in Kagera region in March 2023.

Zanzibar has said that since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the islands have received many visitors from the United States, Middle East and Europe, and they expect this trend to continue in the coming months and throughout the summer season.

To allay fears, Zanzibar has stated that the islands have a warm climate and are separated by approximately 1,588 kilometers of ocean from the Kagera region on the mainland, so there is no risk of infection.

“While the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is monitoring the situation closely, there is absolutely no cause for alarm,” said Simai Said, the Minister for Tourism.

He added that “Given that Covid-19 is still fresh in our minds, we understand that people are cautious when learning of new infections. However, such fears are often unfounded, such is the case now. Tanzania is adhering to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and people have no reason to worry.”

Tanzania has largely succeeded in preventing the spread of Marburg virus in the Kagera region, and currently, only two patients are receiving treatment there after one patient was discharged on April 5, 2023.