“No Travel or Trade Restrictions for Tanzania over Marburg!” assures the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization says it is not recommending any travel and trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time, despite reports of what is being described as viral fever being experienced in the country’s Kagera Region.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has so far confirmed one case of Marburg infections traced in the Biharamulo District of Kagera.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” said the World Health’s Organization’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
Dr Moeti adds that with the existing national capacities built from response to previous health emergencies, they are able to swiftly scale up efforts to protect communities as well as play the advocacy role for international support and solidarity.
“Following reports of suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever in Tanzania, the World Health Organization has enhanced its readiness to support the government as it takes measures to investigate and respond swiftly to the situation,” the statement from WHO explains.
According to the agency, the national health authorities have deployed a team of experts to Kagera region, in the north-west of the country, where the suspected cases have been reported.
The World Health Organization reports to be mobilizing technical expertise and logistical supplies to support Tanzania’s initiatives.
“Early notification of the outcome of the investigation is crucial in facilitating swift response!”
The WHO insists that it does not recommend any travel and trade restrictions with Tanzania at this time.
Tanzania previously reported the country’s first outbreak of Marburg in March 2023.
It also occurred in the Kagera region but strong measures enabled the outbreak to be controlled and declared over in less than two months.
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes hemorrhagic fever.
It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe hemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.
Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.