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Published 19:38 IST, September 22nd 2019

WHO: Tanzania refuses to share information on its cases of Ebola

According to the WHO, Tanzania has refused to disclose information on suspected cases of Ebola as the country is struggling to stop the deadly disease.

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According to the World Health Organisation, Tanzania has refused to diclose information on suspected cases of Ebola. Being termed as a rare occurrence, the region is struggling to stop a deadly outbreak that has been given the tag of a global health emergency. 

Ebola: The tag of a deadly virus

According to WHO, Transparency and being swift are vital to fighting the deadly fever on the grounds that it can spread quickly. Contacts of any possible infected individual must be isolated and people cautioned to step up safety measures like washing of hands, etc.

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In an announcement on September 21, WHO said that that it was brought to their notice on September 10, after a patient in Dar es Salaam breathed her last. They were informally told two days after the patient's death that the individual tested positive for Ebola. The lady had passed away on September 8. 

READ | Ebola Outbreak In Congo Declared A Global Health Emergency

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WHO said it was informally told that Tanzania had two other conceivable Ebola cases. One had tested negative and there was no information on the other one. Formally, the Tanzanian government said a week ago it had no affirmed or associated cases with Ebola. The administration didn't address the passing of the lady directly and didn't give any additional data.

Experts in the east and central part of Africa have been on high alert for cases of Ebola from the Democratic Republic of Congo where a year-long episode has claimed lives of more than 2,000 individuals.

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READ | Congo Police Detain Ex-health Minister Oly Ilunga In Ebola Funds Probe

Tanzania concealing information

A week ago the U.S. health secretary, condemned Tanzania for its inability to share information on the cases of ebola.

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Uganda, which neighbours Congo, has officially recorded a few cases after the ones that were affected crossed the border. A swift reaction by the government prevented the infection from spreading. The 34-year-old person who passed away in Dar es Salaam had headed out to Uganda, as indicated by a WHO report tabled not long ago. She showed the symptoms of Ebola including migraine, fever, rash, diarrhoea and in the end, she died on September 8.

Tanzania is heavily dependent on the travel industry and an episode of Ebola would probably prompt a dwindling count of guest numbers. 

The WHO statement isn't the first time that global organizations have questioned data from the legislature of President John Magufuli, nicknamed The Bulldozer for his combative decision style. Earlier during this year both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund negated the administration's financial development figure for 2018.

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READ | South Korea Confirms Second Case Of Deadly African Swine Fever

16:35 IST, September 22nd 2019