• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

Tanzania health minister issues Ebola alert following Uganda outbreak

16 June 2019, 12:08 PM  |
AFP AFP |  @SABCNews
The minister said the alert was necessary given the frequent interactions between Tanzanian and Ugandan people "via the official borders or by other, unofficial channels."

The minister said the alert was necessary given the frequent interactions between Tanzanian and Ugandan people "via the official borders or by other, unofficial channels."

Image: www.dar24.com

The minister said the alert was necessary given the frequent interactions between Tanzanian and Ugandan people "via the official borders or by other, unofficial channels."

Tanzania’s health minister issued an Ebola ‘alert’ Sunday after the disease, which has killed over 1,400 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), appeared in their shared neighbour, Uganda.

“I want to alert the public that there is the threat of an Ebola epidemic in our country,” Ummy Mwalimu tweeted days after officials confirmed that members of a family who had travelled to the DRC had died in western Uganda.

The minister said the alert was necessary given the frequent interactions between Tanzanian and Ugandan people “via the official borders or by other, unofficial channels.”

Tanzania’s northwestern Kagera, Mwanza and Kigoma regions were most at risk, said Mwalimu. However, “given that this disease transmits very easily and very quickly from one person to another, nearly the entire country is in danger.”

The minister began a tour of the frontier regions on Saturday to assess the measures in place at ports and border posts to deal with potential incoming Ebola cases.

The country has not yet been touched by the often fatal viral disease that causes violent vomiting and diarrhoea, impairs kidney and liver function, and sometimes internal and external bleeding.

Ebola spreads among humans through close contact with the blood, body fluids, secretions or organs of an infected person or objects contaminated by such fluids.

The current outbreak in the DRC is the worst on record after an epidemic that struck mainly in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone between 2014-2016,  killing more than 11,300 people.

On Friday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak does not yet warrant being declared a “public health emergency of international concern”, meaning it would require a “coordinated international response”.

The United Nations (UN) body declares public health emergencies when a disease outbreak in a country risks spreading beyond its borders.

Two members of a Ugandan family, a woman and her five-year-old grandson died of Ebola this week after travelling to the DRC to take care of a dying family member and attend the funeral.

The boy’s brother, aged three, is also infected and several family members are in isolation.

To date, no locally-acquired Ebola cases have been reported in Uganda.

Share article
Previous Post

ANC replaces MPs, Kebby Maphatsoe makes return

Next Post

Hundreds gather in Durban for International Day of Yoga

Related Posts

The first two bronzes, one depicting the head of a king, the other showing a king and his four attendants, will be taken back personally by Nigerian Foreign Minister Zubairu Dada and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, who were present at the ceremony.

Germany hands first of Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria

1 July 2022, 11:12 PM
Demonstrators march in support of LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter movements in New York City, New York, June 25, 2020.

Nigerian Islamic court orders death by stoning of three men convicted of homosexuality

1 July 2022, 8:55 PM
the International Monetary Fund headquarters building.

IMF delegation heading to Tunisia to start loan talks -central bank

1 July 2022, 8:21 PM
Members of the military personnel arrive to take part in a parade calling for parliamentary and presidential election, at Martyr's square in Tripoli, Libya

Power cut protests hit Libyan cities, showing anger at factional leaders

1 July 2022, 7:47 PM
African migrants sit on top of a border fence during an attempt to cross from Morocco into Spain's north African enclave of Melilla, November 21, 2015.

Morocco prosecutes 65 migrants involved in deadly Melilla incident

1 July 2022, 3:51 PM
FILE PHOTO: A burned tank stands near the town of Adwa, Tigray region, Ethiopia, March 18, 2021.

Ethiopia blames militia for killing 338 people in Oromiya region in June

1 July 2022, 9:33 AM
Next Post
Commonly referred to as Yoga Day, it is celebrated annually on 21 June since its declaration in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Hundreds gather in Durban for International Day of Yoga

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • Limpopo residents concerned about illegal harvesting of the Matumi tree
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended its position that it is up to each international sports body to set their own rules for transgender athletes' inclusion following FINA's decision.
  • Sport

Restrictions on transgender athletes violate Olympic Charter – FIMS chief


The new US aid is meant to bolster Kyiv as it confronts heavy pounding by Russian artillery.
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

US sending Ukraine two surface-to-air missile systems – Pentagon


The first two bronzes, one depicting the head of a king, the other showing a king and his four attendants, will be taken back personally by Nigerian Foreign Minister Zubairu Dada and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, who were present at the ceremony.
  • Africa

Germany hands first of Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria


Ukrainian soldiers wave from their tank, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the village of Kolychivka, outside Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

After Snake Island retreat, Russian missile attack kills 21 near Ukraine’s Odesa


Barbados Prime Minister and Minister for National Security and the Civil Service Mia Amor Mottley speaks at the UN General Assembly 76th session General Debate in UN General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2021. John Angelillo/Pool via REUTERS
  • South Africa

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley to deliver the 20th Nelson Mandela Lecture


A man holds a fuel nozzle at a petrol station.
  • Business

Motorists brace for another fuel hike


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Kebby Maphatsoe ANC replaces MPs, Kebby Maphatsoe makes return
Next Hundreds gather in Durban for International Day of Yoga