Tanzania issues alert over Covid, cholera and other epidemics outbreak

Tanzania has put its citizens on a high alert following a nationwide outbreak of diseases such as cholera, Covid-19, influenza and Dengue fever.

In a statement to the public issued on Wednesday, the country's Ministry of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Grace Magembe cautioned Tanzanians to take precautions.

However, Magembe did not release any statistics; only stating that health facilities have reported an increment of number of patients with flu-like conditions due to Dengue fever and Covid-19.

“The Ministry of Health has continued to monitor the trend of epidemics. Recently, there has been an increase in cases of severe influenza and Covid-19. These diseases are spread through droplets from the respiratory system of an infected patient and are spread when coughing, sneezing or talking.”

The diseases are spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person and spread when they cough, sneeze or talk.

Influenza and Covid-19 can also be spread by touching surfaces contaminated with droplets from an infected person. Symptoms of these diseases include high fever, cough, headache and body aches, runny nose, sore throat and fatigue.

Magembe said that data shows that, every year between November and April, there is an increase in the incidence of severe influenza and Covid-19 in the country and around the world.

“Similarly, the Ministry would like to issue a warning about Dengue Fever due to the fact that many areas in the country are in the monsoon season, which leads to an increase in mosquito breeding grounds,” she added.

Dengue fever is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which is black with white spots and prefers to bite in the morning, afternoon and evening. Symptoms of the disease include high fever, headache, joint pain, eye pain and fatigue. The symptoms of the disease are similar to those of malaria.

The Tanzanian authorities said they are on a high alert for the cholera outbreak due to the ongoing heavy rains are reported cases in neighbouring countries.

On cholera, she revealed that cases have been reported in all the 31 provinces save for Kilimanjaro and Njombe regions, adding that so far there were no fatalities reported.

“Our country has been in the midst of a cholera outbreak that has affected all regions except Kilimanjaro and Njombe. Despite these successes against Cholera, we are still at risk due to the ongoing rains and the presence of infections in neighbouring countries,” the Chief Medical Officer said.

She added, “The government is committed to monitoring and providing services against all infectious diseases and will continue to provide regular updates if there are changes in the spread of the disease or if further action is needed.”