Tanzania's Ministry of Health has responded to recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) about a suspected Marburg virus outbreak in the Kagera region, refuting claims of new infections.
Tanzania Refutes WHO Claims of Marburg Virus Outbreak Amidst Surveillance Enhancements
Tanzania Refutes WHO Claims of Marburg Virus Outbreak Amidst Surveillance Enhancements
Tanzania's government has officially declared no new cases of the Marburg virus, countering WHO assertions of an outbreak.
Tanzania's Health Minister, Jenista Mhagama, stated that after thorough testing, all nine suspected cases reported were negative for Marburg virus. She emphasized that Tanzania has bolstered its surveillance systems to monitor potential outbreaks effectively. In light of the report from WHO which noted nine suspected cases and eight associated deaths, Mhagama reassured local and international stakeholders of the country’s commitment to transparency in health updates.
Earlier this year, Tanzania experienced its inaugural Marburg outbreak, which, while tragic, remained comparatively contained. The outbreak lasted nearly two months and resulted in six fatalities. The Marburg virus, akin to Ebola, poses high risks, exhibiting severe symptoms such as high fever, muscle aches, and, in dire cases, hemorrhagic death. As a precaution, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has indicated that surveillance improvements might reveal additional cases, heightening alertness for potential Marburg occurrences.
The WHO team dispatched to Kagera has conducted thorough investigations and collected specimens, aiming to swiftly identify any real threats. However, the organization reported that current risks of regional spread are considered high due to Kagera's status as a transit hub linking several African nations, yet the global risk remains categorized as low.
Despite these concerns, Dr. Tedros urged against travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time, affirming that no major international spread is expected.
Experts remain vigilant, anticipating further developments while public health efforts continue to mitigate risks associated with the Marburg virus. To date, there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for Marburg, and ongoing research seeks to address this critical gap in medical response.
Earlier this year, Tanzania experienced its inaugural Marburg outbreak, which, while tragic, remained comparatively contained. The outbreak lasted nearly two months and resulted in six fatalities. The Marburg virus, akin to Ebola, poses high risks, exhibiting severe symptoms such as high fever, muscle aches, and, in dire cases, hemorrhagic death. As a precaution, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has indicated that surveillance improvements might reveal additional cases, heightening alertness for potential Marburg occurrences.
The WHO team dispatched to Kagera has conducted thorough investigations and collected specimens, aiming to swiftly identify any real threats. However, the organization reported that current risks of regional spread are considered high due to Kagera's status as a transit hub linking several African nations, yet the global risk remains categorized as low.
Despite these concerns, Dr. Tedros urged against travel or trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time, affirming that no major international spread is expected.
Experts remain vigilant, anticipating further developments while public health efforts continue to mitigate risks associated with the Marburg virus. To date, there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for Marburg, and ongoing research seeks to address this critical gap in medical response.
