An outbreak of an Ebola-like virus has been detected in the East African country of Tanzania. So far, only one person has tested positive for Marbug virus, said officials
A deadly virus which leaves patients with bleeding eyes has swept parts of a country following an outbreak.
Tanzania president Samia Suluhu Hassan declared an outbreak after one case of Marburg was confirmed in the northwestern region of Kagera. At a joint press conference on Monday, she said a rapid response team had been sent to check on all suspected cases.
It comes just one week after the country’s health minister denied that there were any cases. On January 14, WHO recorded a suspected outbreak in Tanzania, reporting nine suspected cases and eight fatalities across five days in the region. However, Tanzania’s Health Minister Jenista Mhagama disputed this and said that all of the suspected cases later tested negative for the virus.
The horror virus can be easily spread and can leave patients suffering from a fever, vomiting, severe blood loss, diarrhoea and more, reports BBC. According to WHO, Marbug kills half of the people it infects. The organisation described the symptoms on its websites and explained patients can experience “confusion, irritability and aggression.”
The website added: “MVD begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Muscle aches and pains are a common feature. Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. Non-itchy rash have been reported in patients between 2 and 7 days after onset of symptoms.
“From day 5 of the disease, patients may develop haemorrhagic manifestations, including fresh blood in vomitus and faeces, and bleeding from the nose, gums and vagina. Bleeding at venepuncture sites can also be observed. Involvement of the central nervous system can result in confusion, irritability and aggression.
“Orchitis (inflammation of one or both testicles) has been reported occasionally in the late phase of disease. In fatal cases, death occurs most often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.”
Hassan referenced a previous outbreak from 2023 and vowed the region would overcome the terrifying virus. “We are confident that we will overcome this challenge once again,” she said. WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reassured people with a statement and said: “Even though there is no approved treatment or vaccines, outbreaks can be stopped quickly. WHO advises against restrictions. Now is the time for collaboration.”
It is unclear what caused the eight deaths.