Following the death of five individuals by the Marburg virus in Tanzania, its neighbours Kenya and Uganda have increased surveillance along their border. The deadly Ebola-like virus frequently causes high temperature, which is followed by bleeding and organ failure.
At its southern border, Uganda has mandated rapid screening and testing. Additionally, health teams have been placed on high alert at border crossings in the Kyotera and Isingiro districts.
Patrick Amoth, director general of Kenya’s health department, has urged the public to report any unusual spike in the number of individuals with a high fever who have recently visited Tanzania. Such people are advised to go to the closest medical facility right away for an evaluation and treatment.
The outbreak in Tanzania was reported in the north-western Kagera region where there is a lot of human traffic with western Kenya.
Nearly 161 contacts have been traced and are being kept track of. Authorities are still looking for more individuals. Five of the eight people who tested positive for the illness have passed away. One household accounts for four of them.
The World Health Organisation applauded Tanzania’s approach to containing the outbreak. According to the WHO, the Marburg virus typically kills half of those who contract it. The virus enters humans through fruit bats and spreads between people through the exchange of bodily secretions.
Despite the lack of vaccines or treatments, those who have been diagnosed are given water intravenously or orally by physicians as they address their unique symptoms.