Health ministry warns on Dengue fever in Tanzania

Ministry of Health has warned all business people travelling to Dar es Salaam of a Dengue outbreak in the United Republic of Tanzania.
A press release from the ministry signed by its Public Relations Officer, Henry Chimbali says by May 30, 2014, 1,017 cases and four deaths were confirmed in the districts of Kinondoni, Temeke, and Ilala that are situated in Dar es Salaam.
The ministry says Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes flu-like illness and occasionally develops into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.
“The mosquito is the primary transmitter of dengue. The dengue virus is transmitted to humans through bites of infected female mosquitoes. After the virus incubation for 4-10 days, an infected mosquito is capable of transmitting the virus for the rest of its life,” reads the statement in part.
Chimbali added: “We therefore wish to inform all the people travelling to Dar es Salaam to exercise great caution and practice appropriate prevention measures.”
The statement further says infected humans are the main carriers and multipliers of the virus, serving as a source of the virus for uninfected mosquitoes.
According to MoH, Dengue should be suspected when a high fever is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash.
(BNLTimes)