Daijiworld Media Network- Arusha
Arusha, Jan 31: The East African Community (EAC) has extended its support to Tanzania and other stakeholders following the confirmation of a Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in the Kagera Region, North-Western Tanzania. With two confirmed cases and 18 suspected cases, this marks the country’s second encounter with the deadly virus since the 2023 outbreak in the same region.
EAC Deputy Secretary General Hon Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political Sectors, praised Tanzania’s leadership and the global partners supporting the containment efforts. He emphasized that regional unity and shared responsibility are crucial during health crises.
“This outbreak highlights the importance of regional solidarity and swift action,” Hon. Ariik stated, reiterating the need for coordinated efforts in mitigating the impact of such health emergencies.
Hon Ariik reaffirmed the EAC’s commitment to supporting Tanzania and all partner states in managing the crisis. He noted that strengthening regional capacities remains a top priority to improve outbreak preparedness and response.
Drawing from its 2023 experience, when nine cases and six fatalities were recorded in Bukoba District, Tanzania has enhanced its outbreak containment expertise. The EAC Secretariat has urged partner states to share best practices and technical expertise to bolster the regional response.
In collaboration with partners such as the German Government (GIZ, KfW), the EAC Secretariat is implementing measures to contain MVD and Mpox outbreaks, alongside reinforcing pandemic preparedness. Major interventions include:
• Deployment of mobile laboratories for rapid diagnostic testing.
• Establishment of a Rapidly Deployable Experts (RDE) pool for swift outbreak response.
• Strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE).
• Setting up 43 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in border regions.
• Training border staff, health workers, and community leaders.
The EAC secretariat has also donated two MVD testing kits (each capable of performing 96 tests) and is working with the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) to provide technical guidance to laboratory experts. Plans are underway to enhance regional surveillance through additional field missions.
Marburg virus is a highly fatal zoonotic disease, similar to Ebola, with a mortality rate ranging from 24% to 88%, depending on the strain and case management. The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Currently, no vaccine or specific treatment exists, and supportive care remains the primary medical intervention.
• Early symptoms: High fever, severe headache, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, and weakness.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms: Severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• Advanced stage: Bleeding from various body parts.
To reduce the risk of contracting Marburg Virus Disease, the public is advised to:
? Practice proper hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers.
? Avoid contact with fruit bats and their excretions, as they are natural hosts of the virus.
? Follow safe burial practices to prevent exposure to infected bodily fluids.
? Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when caring for infected individuals.
? Avoid contact with non-human primates, as they can also transmit the virus.
? Seek immediate medical attention – early supportive treatment improves survival chances.
? Isolate from others to prevent further spread.
? Inform local health authorities for assessment and testing.
? Avoid direct contact with others, especially through bodily fluids, until cleared by medical professionals.
The EAC remains steadfast in its commitment to regional health security through proactive measures, collaborative partnerships, and robust preparedness systems. These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of Marburg Virus and strengthen the region’s resilience to health emergencies.