President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed a new Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania, with one confirmed case reported. The government is investigating past deaths previously linked to a suspected outbreak. WHO has pledged support as Tanzania enhances measures to control the virus, while denying the need for travel restrictions due to low global risk.
In an announcement made on Monday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed a new outbreak of the Marburg virus in Tanzania, marking the second occurrence in the nation since 2023. While the World Health Organization had previously noted the deaths of eight individuals in connection with a suspected outbreak, the Tanzanian government has yet to validate this information. Instead, President Hassan reported the identification of one confirmed case of the virus and emphasized that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the earlier fatalities.
Testing has revealed a total of 26 suspected cases in Tanzania, with only one result returning positive. This confirmed case is located in the Kagera region, which shares borders with Uganda and Rwanda. Kagera previously experienced the country’s first outbreak in March 2023, which accounted for nine cases and six deaths over a span of two months, according to WHO reports.
President Hassan expressed confidence in the country’s ability to manage and contain the outbreak, reinforcing the commitment to combatting such health crises effectively. In support of Tanzania’s efforts, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who visited Dodoma, pledged the agency’s continued assistance to manage the situation. He noted that Tanzania has actively enhanced measures for case detection, established treatment centers, and deployed national response teams.
Despite the ongoing situation, the WHO has advised against implementing travel and trade restrictions with Tanzania, citing a low global risk and strong governmental capabilities. The latest outbreak announcement comes shortly after the end of a similar outbreak in neighboring Rwanda, which resulted in 15 fatalities and lasted three months. Marburg virus, akin to Ebola, is highly infectious and is associated with severe hemorrhagic fever, often leading to significant mortality rates.
The Marburg virus, a member of the filovirus family alongside Ebola, is known for causing severe hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate, potentially reaching up to 90%. It is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected fruit bats. Tanzania faced its first confirmed outbreak of Marburg in March 2023, with subsequent health investigations sparked by recent fatalities. International organizations, including the WHO, are monitoring the situation and providing essential support to mitigate further risks as the virus poses a significant public health threat.
The confirmation of a new Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania highlights ongoing public health challenges in the region. With authorities conducting investigations and bolstering responses, a focus remains on controlling the virus and preventing further spread. The global community continues to support Tanzania’s health efforts while maintaining a cautious approach towards travel and trade. Authorities are committed to managing the situation effectively as they have demonstrated in previous outbreaks.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
