United States (U.S.) Government Commits nearly $1 Million to Strengthen Mpox Response in Tanzania
April 29, 2025
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has committed nearly $1 million to help Tanzania combat the spread of mpox. The funding will enhance infection surveillance, prevention, and control across both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Resources will support health facilities, emergency operations centers, and public awareness campaigns, as well as bolster laboratory capacity and border screening. This collaboration reflects the U.S. government’s strategic investment in global health security, reinforcing Tanzania’s response capacity and safeguarding communities. Such partnerships are critical not only for local disease containment but also for preventing wider international transmission of emerging infectious threats like mpox.
In a significant step to reinforce global public health security, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has pledged nearly $1 million to support Tanzania’s response to the mpox outbreak. The funding aims to bolster both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar’s capacity to detect, manage, and contain the virus through enhanced surveillance, expanded infection prevention measures, and improved readiness at points of entry.
The initiative will equip healthcare facilities with essential laboratory supplies and strengthen Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) to deliver data-driven responses, including the generation of comprehensive situation reports that map demographic and regional case data. It will also support public awareness efforts to inform communities about prevention, symptoms, and timely care-seeking behaviors.
This investment arrives at a critical juncture, as mpox continues to circulate across parts of Africa with increasing transmissibility. Symptoms typically include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue—often self-limiting but potentially severe in vulnerable populations.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Andrew Lentz emphasized the strategic nature of this support, noting it strengthens not only Tanzanian health systems but also contributes to global preparedness. “The U.S. Government is proud to contribute its technical expertise, investments, and on-the-ground support to protect the health and safety of the American and Tanzanian people,” he said.
Global partnerships like this one between the United States and Tanzania underscore a broader truth: infectious disease threats know no borders. By enhancing surveillance and containment capacity in one country, we create a ripple effect of resilience that benefits all. This CDC initiative is not just a diplomatic gesture—it’s a pragmatic response to the global challenge of emerging pathogens. It affirms the principle that global health security begins with supporting preparedness where outbreaks begin.