By Osoro Nyawangah, DODOMA Tanzania
The government of Tanzania has confirmed its first two cases of mpox, the health ministry said Monday, the first time the virus has been detected in an outbreak that has hit several African countries.
Two individuals exhibiting
symptoms were isolated and tested on Sunday, health minister Jenista Mhagama
said in a statement on the ministry website.
The individuals, exhibiting symptoms like facial, hand, and foot rashes, along with fever, headaches, sore throats, and body aches, were tested after the ministry received reports on March 7, 2025.
One
of the suspected cases involved a cargo driver who traveled from a neighboring
country to Dar es Salaam. Samples were sent to the National Laboratory for
testing, and on March 9, the lab confirmed both individuals were infected with
the Mpox virus.
"Among the suspects, one
is a truck driver who travelled from a neighbouring country to Dar es
Salaam," the statement said.
“The
Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the President’s Office Regional
Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), continues to monitor,
investigate, and identify additional potential cases,” the statement reads.
Since
many viral diseases like Mpox lack specific treatments, patients are managed
based on their symptoms. The Ministry urges the public to seek medical
attention if they exhibit symptoms of Mpox and to call the free hotline at 199
for advice.
In a report by the African Union's health agency last week,
6,034 cases of mpox have been confirmed since January in 22 countries,
resulting in 25 deaths.
Mpox, caused by a virus from
the same family as smallpox, can be transmitted between humans through close
physical contact. It causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin
lesions, and can be deadly.
It has two subtypes: clade 1
and clade 2.
Its spread caused the World
Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international
concern—its highest alarm—in August 2024.
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