By Tapiwa Svondo
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned the public to remain cautious of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak that has already affected Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea.
MVD is similar to the Ebola virus, and both are caused by the same family of viruses, leading to severe haemorrhagic fever symptoms in humans.
MVD is transmitted to humans through fruit bats, which are the natural hosts. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected persons and contaminated surfaces.
In a statement, Health Secretary, Dr. Jasper Chimedza, stated that the MoHCC is putting measures in place to strengthen surveillance at the ports of entry to prevent any cases in Zimbabwe.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care is alerting the public of a current Marbug Virus Disease (MDV) outbreak affecting Equatorial Guinea and most recently Tanzania. In view of this regional outbreak, the MoHCC has taken steps to strengthen surveillance particularly at the points of entry and activated preparedness and response teams,” said Dr Chimedza
Dr. Chimedza added that Zimbabwe’s health ministry is alerting the public to the ongoing outbreak of MVD affecting Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.
“If anyone presents with haemorrhagic symptoms and high fever having travel history to or through countries reporting MVD, they should immediately report to the nearest health facility or call the ministry’s public, number 2019 for health emergency operations centre toll-free assistance,” he said.
The Government of Tanzania declared the outbreak of the MDV on the 21th of March 2023 with a total of 8 cases and 5 confirmed deaths.