Biharamulo, Tanzania – A crew of public well being emergency consultants from World Well being Group (WHO) has deployed to Tanzania’s north-western Kagera area to help the well being authorities strengthen response to an outbreak of Marburg virus illness.
The WHO consultants are a part of an preliminary 20-member inter-agency crew from Médecins Sans Frontières, Tanzania Purple Cross Society and UNICEF within the discipline working with nationwide and native well being officers to strengthen illness surveillance, diagnostic capability, guarantee efficient case administration, and assist strengthen public consciousness to forestall additional transmission of the virus.
WHO has additionally shipped 1.4 tonnes of important medical provides together with diagnostic kits and private protecting tools to Tanzania from its Regional Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi. As of 23 January 2025, there have been two confirmed and 29 suspected instances reported. A complete of 281 contacts are being carefully monitored.
“Our focus is to quickly halt the unfold of the virus and save lives by working carefully with the federal government to make sure a coordinated and efficient response,” mentioned Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Consultant in Tanzania.
The continuing outbreak is Tanzania’s second of Marburg virus illness, following a profitable containment of the primary in 2023, which occurred in the identical area. Classes discovered from that have, coupled with the federal government’s investments in emergency preparedness, are proving essential in addressing the present problem.
WHO is dedicated to working with Tanzanian authorities and companions to carry the outbreak below management. The Group has allotted US$ 3 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to assist speed up the outbreak management efforts.
Marburg virus illness is a extremely contagious sickness that causes haemorrhagic fever. It spreads by direct contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated people or contaminated supplies. Though there aren’t any permitted therapies or vaccines, early supportive care can considerably enhance outcomes for sufferers.