DAR ES SALAAM, June 5 -- Tanzanias ability to identify dangerous disease outbreaks has improved significantly over the past decade, enabling laboratories to diagnose viruses such as Marburg within hours, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC Tanzania Country Director Dr Mahesh Swaminathan said recent investments in laboratory systems, disease surveillance and workforce development had strengthened the countrys outbreak response capacity.

During Tanzanias recent Marburg outbreak response, samples were tested and confirmed locally rather than being sent abroad, reducing delays that previously could have taken days or weeks.

“In this case, Tanzania got the result in just a few hours,” Dr Swa...