The confirmation of a new Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in northwest Tanzania has once again brought the deadly virus into the spotlight, and the urgency to act is clear.
Development Diaries reports that the outbreak was confirmed by the country’s President, Samia Hassan, on Monday after one confirmed case and 25 suspected cases were identified in the northwest of the country.
While it is encouraging to see the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) stepping in with 12 public health experts and committing two million dollars for immediate response measures, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) releasing three million dollars from its contingency fund, the fight against this highly infectious disease requires more than financial aid.
Africa CDC Director-General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has expressed confidence in Tanzania’s capacity to respond, citing the commendable efforts during the 2023 outbreak in Bukoba District, which saw nine cases and six fatalities.
However, confidence alone will not save lives. This is the time for robust action, not just from the Tanzanian government and international agencies but from local communities and leaders.
Development Diaries calls on President Hassan and the Ministry of Health to expedite the allocation of resources to affected regions and ensure health workers are fully equipped to handle the outbreak. They also need to work with neighbouring countries to establish a regional strategy for disease prevention and control.
As for the Africa CDC and the WHO, they should provide technical expertise, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and invest in long-term public health resilience in East Africa.
To ensure that public misinformation does not exacerbate the spread, local and national media, religious leaders, and community influencers must prioritise educating the public about Marburg virus symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures.
Also, citizens must remain vigilant and adhere to public health guidelines. Report suspected cases promptly and discourage stigma against affected individuals or regions.
Photo source: Alex Proimos