Tanzania Reports No Marburg Virus Cases Despite WHO Warnings
Dar es Salaam – Tanzania’s health authorities have declared that no individuals have tested positive for the Marburg virus, contrary to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) initial reports of potential fatalities linked to the virus in the northwest of the country. Health Minister Jenista Mhagama confirmed in a statement that as of January 15, 2025, all lab tests conducted on suspected cases returned negative results.
The WHO had earlier received reliable reports on January 10 of suspected Marburg virus cases in Tanzania’s Kagera region. The reports indicated that patients exhibited symptoms typical of Marburg virus, such as severe headaches, high fevers, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting blood, muscle weakness, and external bleeding. The Marburg virus, known for a fatality rate as high as 88%, is related to the Ebola virus and is primarily spread to humans via fruit bats native to parts of East Africa.
In light of these reports, Tanzania’s health ministry swiftly launched precautionary measures, including the dispatch of expert teams to the affected region, event investigation, specimen collection, and comprehensive laboratory testing. This proactive approach comes in the wake of Tanzania’s encounter with its first Marburg outbreak in 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths, also in the Kagera region.
The country has since fortified its disease surveillance systems to better manage potential outbreaks. Despite past criticism for lack of transparency during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tanzania emphasizes its commitment to robust health surveillance and timely information sharing. As the situation develops, the government vows to continue monitoring and responding to prevent any public health threat.
This article is based on information from an automated news agency feed.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/tanzania-says-no-sign-of-marburg-outbreak-in-the-country-101737055140735.html
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Publish Date: 2025-01-17 00:49:00
