Tanzania Confirms Case of Marburg Virus Amid Concerns
Tanzanian authorities report a confirmed case of Marburg virus, which has a high mortality rate if untreated.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu has confirmed the presence of the highly infectious Marburg virus in a sample from the northern region of the country, following initial reports of a suspected outbreak.
The disclosure was made in the capital city, Dar es Salaam, during a meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The WHO had previously reported a suspected epidemic of the Marburg virus in Tanzania's Kagera region, which was initially believed to have resulted in eight fatalities.
However, Tanzanian health authorities had refuted the outbreak's presence shortly afterward, stating that tests from the samples initially considered suspicious had returned negative results.
According to President Suluhu, further testing has now validated one positive case of Marburg infection, while 25 other samples have tested negative.
The Marburg virus, related to the Ebola virus, originates from fruit bats and is transmitted among humans through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces, such as bedding.
Persons infected with the virus may experience symptoms including fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, can suffer death due to extreme blood loss.
Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Marburg virus.
It was first identified in 1967 during an outbreak in the German cities of Marburg and Frankfurt.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely as they work with international partners to contain potential outbreaks and explore further research avenues for treatment and prevention.
The disclosure was made in the capital city, Dar es Salaam, during a meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The WHO had previously reported a suspected epidemic of the Marburg virus in Tanzania's Kagera region, which was initially believed to have resulted in eight fatalities.
However, Tanzanian health authorities had refuted the outbreak's presence shortly afterward, stating that tests from the samples initially considered suspicious had returned negative results.
According to President Suluhu, further testing has now validated one positive case of Marburg infection, while 25 other samples have tested negative.
The Marburg virus, related to the Ebola virus, originates from fruit bats and is transmitted among humans through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces, such as bedding.
Persons infected with the virus may experience symptoms including fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and in severe cases, can suffer death due to extreme blood loss.
Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Marburg virus.
It was first identified in 1967 during an outbreak in the German cities of Marburg and Frankfurt.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely as they work with international partners to contain potential outbreaks and explore further research avenues for treatment and prevention.
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