In a proactive response, Tanzania has dismissed the World Health Organisation's suspicions concerning a new outbreak of the Marburg virus, emphasizing heightened surveillance and containment measures.
Tanzania Refutes WHO Claims of Marburg Virus Outbreak Amid Heightened Surveillance
Tanzania Refutes WHO Claims of Marburg Virus Outbreak Amid Heightened Surveillance
Tanzania's Health Minister reassures international community following negative results for suspected Marburg virus cases.
Tanzania's Health Minister Jenista Mhagama confirmed that all samples tested negative for the Marburg virus, contrary to recent WHO reports that identified nine suspected cases in the Kagera region, with eight fatalities linked to those cases. The WHO had issued an alert, stressing the risk of virus transmission due to Kagera's location as a crossroads for travel to neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda.
The minister stated that Tanzania has reinforced its disease monitoring capabilities and assured global health organizations, including the WHO, of continuous updates regarding public health developments. "We would like to assure the international organisations that we shall always keep them up to date with ongoing developments," Mhagama asserted.
While the country successfully navigated its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023, which resulted in six deaths over two months, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concerns over potential new cases due to improved surveillance activities. He cautioned that while the regional risk of spread remains high, the global risk is still considered low, with no immediate threats of international transmission.
In connection with the suspected incident, rapid response teams were deployed to Kagera to assist in identifying suspected cases and to work on containment strategies. Although the Tanzania health authorities did not disclose the number of samples thoroughly investigated, they confirmed that specialized teams are in place to manage any potential cases swiftly.
The Marburg virus, deadly with an average fatality rate of around 50%, primarily transmits from fruit bats to humans and through contact with bodily fluids. As of now, there is no specific treatment or widespread vaccine for the virus, but ongoing research efforts aim to develop interventions against the disease.
In light of these findings, Tanzania continues its commitment to safeguarding public health, keen on collaboration with international health agencies while managing its domestic response to potential health threats.
The minister stated that Tanzania has reinforced its disease monitoring capabilities and assured global health organizations, including the WHO, of continuous updates regarding public health developments. "We would like to assure the international organisations that we shall always keep them up to date with ongoing developments," Mhagama asserted.
While the country successfully navigated its first Marburg outbreak in March 2023, which resulted in six deaths over two months, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concerns over potential new cases due to improved surveillance activities. He cautioned that while the regional risk of spread remains high, the global risk is still considered low, with no immediate threats of international transmission.
In connection with the suspected incident, rapid response teams were deployed to Kagera to assist in identifying suspected cases and to work on containment strategies. Although the Tanzania health authorities did not disclose the number of samples thoroughly investigated, they confirmed that specialized teams are in place to manage any potential cases swiftly.
The Marburg virus, deadly with an average fatality rate of around 50%, primarily transmits from fruit bats to humans and through contact with bodily fluids. As of now, there is no specific treatment or widespread vaccine for the virus, but ongoing research efforts aim to develop interventions against the disease.
In light of these findings, Tanzania continues its commitment to safeguarding public health, keen on collaboration with international health agencies while managing its domestic response to potential health threats.
