Tanzania has denied reports of a suspected outbreak of the deadly Marburg disease in the northwest of the country.

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization had said nine possible cases had been reported in the remote Kagera region, and eight infected persons had died.

But Tanzania’s Health Minister, Jenista Mhagama, today said after samples were tested, all suspected cases were found to be negative for the Ebola-like virus.

She said the country has strengthened its surveillance systems and disease monitoring as a precaution.

Like Ebola, the Marburg virus originates in fruit bats, and its fatality rate of as high as 88 per cent.

Read Another Story Israel and Hamas Reach Gaza Ceasefire Deal