The government has issued a warning about the Mpox disease as two people have been suspected of having symptoms of the disease.
A statement issued by the government yesterday and circulated to the media said the Ministry of Health through its information collection and disease surveillance systems has received reports of the presence of suspected cases with symptoms of the disease.
The statement, which was signed by the Minister of Health, Mrs. Jenista Mhagama, described the symptoms of the disease as rashes on the face, hands, feet and other parts of the body.
It said the symptoms are accompanied by fever, headache, sore throat, pain in the body parts including muscles and back.
The statement said that among the suspected people is a truck driver who came from a neighboring country and entered Dar es Salaam.
It said samples were taken and sent to the National Laboratory for examination and on March 09, 2025, laboratory examination confirmed that two people suspected of being infected with the virus that causes Mpox disease.
The government, it said, is continuing with monitoring, investigation and diagnosis to determine if there are other suspected cases so that they can be provided with appropriate services.
The source of this disease is primates, where humans can get it from activities that may lead to contact with animals, fluids or meat of infected animals.
The statement continued to say that its transmission is due to an infected person coming into direct contact with an uninfected person, the government has planned to control the disease due to its experience in epidemic diseases.
It said that to control the disease, the government
continues to strengthen disease surveillance at all levels, testing of people entering and leaving through the country’s borders, providing health education and mobilizing the community to enable citizens to take preventive measures.
Regarding treatment, the statement said that many diseases caused by viruses do not have specific treatments but the patient is treated according to the symptoms they have.
The government has urged citizens to consider visiting health care centers for examination and treatment when they see
one of the symptoms of Mpox disease or call 199 toll-free.
Other measures are Avoiding sharing items such as clothes and bedding that have been used by a person with Mpox symptoms, Avoiding contact by shaking hands, kissing, hugging or having sex with a person with Mpox symptoms.
Others are Avoiding touching the body fluids of a person with Mpox symptoms, Avoiding caring for a patient with Mpox symptoms without taking precautions, Health workers should adhere to the principles of disease prevention at all times
when caring for patients including those with symptoms of rashes and fever.
Others Washing hands frequently with running water and soap or using hand sanitizers.
The Ministry would also like to provide you with an update on the status of the Marburg virus disease which was first reported in the country on January 20, 2025.
The control of this disease is progressing well and as of March 10, 2025, 41 days have passed without a new case.
