Brazzaville – Following experiences of suspected instances of viral haemorrhagic fever in Tanzania, World Well being Group (WHO) has enhanced its readiness to help the federal government because it takes measures to analyze and reply swiftly to the scenario.
The nationwide well being authorities have deployed a workforce of specialists to Kagera area, within the north-west of the nation, the place the suspected instances have been reported. WHO is mobilizing technical experience and logistical provides to help these ongoing efforts. Early notification of the result of the investigation is essential in facilitating swift response.
“We stand able to help the federal government in its efforts to analyze and make sure that measures are in place for an efficient and fast response,” mentioned Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “With the present nationwide capacities constructed from response to earlier well being emergencies, we’re in a position to swiftly scale up efforts to guard communities in addition to play our advocacy position for worldwide help and solidarity.”
WHO doesn’t advocate any journey and commerce restrictions with Tanzania presently.
Tanzania beforehand reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the nation’s first – in Kagera area. Sturdy measures enabled the outbreak to be managed and declared over in lower than two months.
Marburg virus illness is very virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the identical household because the virus that causes Ebola virus illness. Sickness attributable to Marburg virus begins abruptly. Sufferers presents with excessive fever, extreme headache and extreme malaise. They might develop extreme haemorrhagic signs inside seven days.
The virus is transmitted to folks from fruit bats and spreads amongst people by way of direct contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated folks, surfaces and supplies. Though a number of promising candidate medical countermeasures are at the moment present process medical trials, there isn’t a licensed remedy or vaccine for efficient administration or prevention of Marburg virus illness. Nonetheless, supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and remedy of particular signs, enhance survival.
Within the African area, earlier outbreaks and sporadic instances have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.