THE government has confirmed that one person has died in an outbreak of the Marburg virus disease in Kagera Region, with another patient receiving treatment at Biharamulo Hospital.
Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, the director of preventive services at the Health Ministry, said in a press briefing yesterday in Bukoba that as of Thursday, two cases of Marburg virus had been reported, one of which resulted in a fatality.
The second patient is reported to be in stable condition and responding well to treatment, he said, noting that 281 individuals who had close contact with confirmed cases are being closely monitored.
That will take a period of 21 days to validate that no symptoms of the virus can be detected, he said, highlighting that strict health protocols are in place to prevent further spread of the virus.
Despite the confirmed cases in two wards of Biharamulo District, daily activities are being carried out as usual, he said, expressing confidence in actions being taken on the ground to ensure that everyone adheres to requirements of vital health measures to stem the outbreak from spreading further.
All necessary steps have been taken to contain the outbreak, with local communities strictly following health guidelines, he emphasised.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) provided 7.55bn/- early this week to support the country's efforts to combat the outbreak, he said, noting that health authorities were monitoring the situation.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and follow all recommended health guidelines to prevent further transmission of the virus, he said.
Dr Grace Magembe, the chief medical officer, also took part in the briefing, stating that the number of suspected cases fluctuates as individuals present themselves for testing when they feel the symptoms.
As of yesterday, 15 people were being investigated as potential cases, she said, noting that of the individuals who underwent testing for the virus, all results came back negative. They will be retested after 72 hours for final confirmation, she stated.
Marburg shares similar symptoms with malaria, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and typhoid fever, which is why patients seeking treatment for these conditions are also being screened for Marburg, she stated.
Earlier this week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan reassured Tanzanians and the international community that despite the recent Marburg case, Tanzania remains a safe destination.
“We have built substantial experience in managing such outbreaks, and our preparedness allows us to keep the situation under control,” she had stated.
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