Kimataifa : UN Calls for Patience and Calm Amidst Suspected Disease Outbreak

Ms. Joyce Mends-Cole, the UNHCR Representative in Tanzania.

Burundian families who fled their country wait to be registered as refugees at Nyarugusu camp in northwest Tanzania on June 11, 2015. (Aglietti / AFP / Getty Images).

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Health Organization appeal for calm amid reports of the death of a Burundian refugee, suspected to have contracted the Ebola virus, in Kigoma region in North West Tanzania. The reports emanated following the death on 10^th August in Maweni Hospital in the region. The deceased, had resided in Nyarugusu Camp for three years and was among refugees who were in the Resettlement program to United States of America.

On 9^th August 2015, the refugee was sent to Kigoma Regional Hospital (Maweni) with bleeding gums, eyes and ears. He was fatigued and his body was itching. However, he had no fever. He was under treatment in the hospital when he passed away the following day (10^th August 2015). 

Remains of the deceased were buried under close supervision by the Regional Medical Team and WHO staff. There is no evidence that the deceased had travelled outside of Kigoma region in the last three years, nor had he received visitors from any of the West African countries affected with Ebola, i.e. Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Therefore it is highly unlikely that he had Ebola, as a review of the case by WHO shows that it does not meet the standard case definition for the disease. However precautions have been taken and continue.

Two days after his death, his 14 year old daughter had a nose bleed. Standard care for nose bleeding was provided and it later emerged that she has a history of nose bleeding. The girl is now stable with no bleeding. “Blood samples of the deceased, wife, daughter, son and care taker were collected and sent to the National Laboratory for further investigation. Laboratory technicians have received them and preliminary results are now available.

WHO advises continued monitoring of all contacts, hand washing and maintenance of a high standard of personal hygiene as a precautionary measure. Laboratory tests done on samples collected from the suspected case and three close family members were negative for Chikungunya and Dengue. 

The blood picture does not show any of the features associated with viral infection. Specific test results for Rift Valley Fever, Ebola and Marburg will be shared when they become available. “However, there should be no disruption in day to day activities,” commented Dr. Chatora, WHO Representative in Tanzania.

Ms. Joyce Mends-Cole, the UNHCR Representative in Tanzania also spoke on the situation, saying, “UNHCR is aware that this situation has caused serious concern among refugees, the donor community and the Tanzanian public at large. However we ask for a calm approach to the situation, while we wait for the results of the tests and appeal to the media not to use alarmist language” All refugee movements have been halted and hygiene practices reviewed.

 In the meantime, as stated by the Government yesterday, all those in contact with the deceased have been isolated and none have shown similar symptoms to those of the deceased.

WHO has obtained information that the deceased took some traditional herbs. This is being investigated further and more information will be shared should there be any new developments.