Unguja. Baada ya kutokea vifo vya mara kwa mara vinavyotokana na ulaji wa samaki aina ya kasa, sasa utafanyika utafiti wa sumu asili (Biotoxin) zilizomo ndani ya samaki huyo kuzitambua na athari zake.
Baada ya kutambua sumu hizo, elimu itakayopatikana kutokana na utafiti huo itatumika katika kuelimisha jamii kuhusu athari zitokanazo na ulaji wa kasa.
Hatua hiyo inakuja baada ya kutokea vifo na wengine kulazwa hospitalini baada ya kula nyama ya kasa katika visiwa vya Unguja na Pemba ambapo tukio la Machi 5, mwaka huu walikufa watu tisa na wengine 98 kulazwa hospitalini baada ya kula kasa katika Kisiwapanza Pemba.
Hayo yamebainishwa leo Jumanne, Mei 21, 2024 na Waziri mwenye dhamana, Shaaban Ali Othman katika Mkutano wa Bajeti wa 15 wa Baraza la wawakilishi unaoendelea Chukwani mjini hapa. Hata hivyo, hakusema utafiti huo unatarajia kuanza lini.
Shaaban alikuwa akijibu swali la mwakilishi wa Kiwani, Mussa Foum Mussa aliyetaka kujua hatua zinazochukuliwa na Serikali kudhibiti vifo inavyotokana na ulaji wa samaki huyo.
Kwa mujibu wa kifungu cha saba, sheria namba saba ya mwaka 2010 inapiga marufuku kuvua samaki huyo na ulaji wake, lakini wavuvi wamekuwa wakiendelea kumvua na wananchi kumla bila kujali athari zake.
Waziri wa Uchumi wa Buluu na Uvuvi, Shaaban Ali Othman akijibu maswali ya Wawakilishi katika mkutano wa 15 wa Bajeti Chukwani Unguja.
Alipouliza kitu gani kinafanyika kwa watu wanaobainika kufanya makosa hayo licha ya sheria kukataza, mwakilishi wa nafasi za wanawake, Shadya Mohamed Suleiman, Waziri Shaabani amesema wanawakamata na kuchukuliwa hatua.
Amesema mpaka sasa kuna wavuvi wanne wameshikiliwa katika Mkoa wa Kusini Unguja na kesi zao zinaendelea kusikilizwa. Kwa mujibu wa sheria hiyo, mtu anayevua kasa anatozwa faini kati ya Sh100,000 na Sh5 milioni au kifungo.
Hata hivyo, Waziri Shaaban amesema wavuvi wanaoendelea kuvua kasa wanapata nguvu kutoka kwa Wawakilishi hao ambao pindi wakikamatwa wanawatumia kutaka waachiliwe, hivyo aliwataka kuacha tabia hiyo na sheria ichukue mkondo wake.
“Hapa lazima tuseme ukweli, wapo baadhi ya wawakilishi wanaochangia suala hili liendelee kwani tunapochukua hatua za kuwakamata, tunapigiwa simu kuwa tuwaachie sasa tusaidiane tuache kufanya hivyo,” amesema.
Source: mwananchi.co.tz
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
