Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed a new Marburg virus outbreak, marking the second case this year. The World Health Organization has identified the situation as high risk, although only one patient is confirmed. Efforts to ascertain the source of earlier reported deaths are ongoing, as authorities strengthen their response to prevent further spread.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced on Monday the emergence of a new outbreak of the Marburg virus in the nation. This announcement follows a confirmed case, which marks Tanzania’s second outbreak this year. Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a suspected Marburg outbreak that had resulted in eight deaths, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by Tanzanian authorities.
The Marburg virus is a highly infectious agent that causes severe hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality rate that can approach 90 percent. It is transmitted primarily from fruit bats and is part of the same viral family as Ebola. This recent outbreak in Tanzania is particularly concerning as it follows a recent wave of infections in neighboring Rwanda, where 15 fatalities were reported during a preceding outbreak.
In light of the current situation, WHO has stated that Tanzania possesses adequate capacity to manage the outbreak. President Hassan emphasized the previous success in handling similar health crises. Furthermore, the WHO has advised against any trade or travel restrictions related to Tanzania at this time, as the global risk remains low while support continues for containment efforts.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
