Unguja. The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has advised the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) to permit residents of the Central District in South Unguja to continue quarrying activities, which many rely on as their primary means of livelihood.
During a press briefing at the CCM Headquarters in Kisiwandui, Khamis Mbeto Khamis, Secretary of the Special NEC Committee for Zanzibar’s Department of Ideology and Publicity, emphasized that the government should clearly designate specific areas where quarrying would be allowed, not only within the Central District but also in other regions.
This, he said, would help mitigate the potential environmental impact of these activities.
Mbeto stated that as a party committed to the well-being of the people and national development, CCM believes it is important for the SMZ to reconsider its decision and allow residents to continue their quarrying work.
He further noted that the Ministry of Minerals and Energy should take a fresh look at the issue and allow the people of South Unguja to continue their livelihoods without unnecessary disruption.
“CCM is a party that stands for the public good. We will not abandon this cause. Our advice to SMZ is that the people should be allowed to continue quarrying,” Mbeto said.
Additionally, Mbeto suggested that the decision to halt quarrying could be postponed until a clear framework is in place to manage the environmental risks involved.
He also stressed that if residents are displaced from their traditional quarrying areas, they should be offered alternative means of livelihood.
“If new sites for resource extraction are not designated, the communities should be allowed to continue their work until the proper measures are established,” he added.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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