Prioritizing national interests and why it matters

Recent history highlight a troubling double standard in international health cooperation. African countries are often punished for their transparency, while wealthier nations are not held to the same standard. Tanzania’s firm denial of an outbreak may reflect a strategic shift in the region in which African nations choose to prioritize national interests over global obligations. Can you blame them? The question is however, “does Tanzania's approach signal a new era in which African nations choose self-preservation over transparency in the face of international health crises?”        

On January 13, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a suspected outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Tanzania's Kagera region, with nine cases and eight fatalities. Marburg virus, like Ebola, causes severe hemorrhagic fever and has a high fatality rate. According to the HWO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus “We are aware of 9 cases so far, including 8 people who have died. We would expect further cases in coming days as disease surveillance improves.”According to WHO report “As of 11 January 2025, nine suspected cases were reported including eight deaths (case fatality ratio (CFR) of 89%) across two districts – Biharamulo and Muleba.? Samples from two patients have been collected and tested by the National Public Health Laboratory. Results are pending official confirmation.”

In response to the WHO’s report of a suspected Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania's Kagera region, the Tanzanian government has firmly denied the presence of the virus within its borders. Health Minister Jenista Mhagama announced on January 15, 2025, that all laboratory tests conducted on suspected cases returned negative results for Marburg virus. According to her statement "As of 15th January 2025, laboratory results for all suspected individuals were negative for Marburg virus." She emphasized that, following the reports, the Ministry of Health promptly dispatched a team of experts to the affected area to conduct thorough investigations, collect samples, and perform laboratory analyses, all of which confirmed the absence of the virus. Minister Mhagama reassured the public that Tanzania has strengthened its disease surveillance systems to promptly identify and manage any potential health threats, underscoring the country's commitment to transparency and public health safety.

Despite these conflicting reports, the WHO has assessed the risk of further spread within Tanzania and neighboring regions as high. The WHO has emphasized the need for continued vigilance and preparedness. This creates an awkward situation. On one hand, the Tanzanian government says no-one in their country had tested positive for the Marburg virus. On the other- the WHO has reported that several are believed to have died from it. So who should people believe?

First of all, Tanzania's denial of a Marburg virus outbreak is grounded in laboratory test results. Then again, so does the WHO’s reports. Nevertheless, Tanzania’s report reflects a broader concern that for the potential economic repercussions such reports can have. This concern is likely to be shared amongst African countries. News of a potential outbreak can significantly harm Tanzania’s tourism industry. This is a vital sector contributing to Tanzania’s GDP. An outbreak is likely to deter would be international travelers and investors. Additionally, widespread fear could disrupt local markets by disrupting the flow of good and commerce, reduce productivity, and create public panic, affecting trade and livelihoods. By swiftly addressing the allegations and providing clear evidence of the absence of the virus, the government of Tanzania seeks to preserve economic stability and protect the nation’s reputation as a safe and reliable destination for tourism and business.

Tanzania's reticence to acknowledge WHO reports of a Marburg virus outbreak, even if legitimate, can be understood in the context of recent historical experiences where African nations have faced disproportionate economic and political consequences for their transparency. For instance, in 2024, Rwanda rapidly and effectively managed a Marburg outbreak with swift and appropriate health measures. The?outbreak of Marburg in Rwanda, was first reported on Sept. 27, was declared over by Dec. 20. Rwandan officials reported a total of 15 deaths and 66 cases. The majority of those affected were healthcare workers who handled the first patients. This was a text book example of a well-managed outbreak. It was swift and it effectively contained any further spread of the disease. Yet, despite its success in containing the virus, countries like the United States issued travel advisories, harming Rwanda’s economy and its international image.

Similarly, during the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Botswana and South Africa followed international health regulations by reporting the variant’s discovery. Omicron was first detected in a European country, the Netherlands, before it was reported in Africa, but this information was not initially disclosed. According to available evidence omicron was already present in Europe well before the first cases were officially identified in Southern Africa. Authorities in the Netherland would later disclose that they had in fact detected the omicron variant a full week prior to its detention in passengers on an flight from Amsterdam to Southern Africa. Instead, Botswana, which identified the variant in samples from European travelers, including a Belgian national, faced international travel bans.

Southern African nations were penalized with sweeping restrictions including by the same countries where the variant had circulated earlier. The irony was that European countries where the variant first emerged did not face similar sanctions. These precedents highlight a troubling double standard. African countries are often punished for their transparency, while wealthier nations are not held to the same standard. This dynamic undermines trust in international health cooperation and discourages reporting. African countries are becomeing increasingly aware of these inequities.

African countries are acutely aware of the importance of balanced reporting and international responses to avoid unnecessary economic and social harm while ensuring public health is not compromised. The African experience has been anything but balanced. Tanzania has firmly stated that there is no sign of MVD in Tanzania as laboratory tests for suspected cases returned negative results. Tanzania’s firm denial of an outbreak may reflect a strategic shift in the region in which African nations choose to prioritize national interests over global obligations. Can you blame them? The question is however, “does Tanzania's approach signal a new era in which African nations choose self-preservation over transparency in the face of international health crises?”

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