Tanzania Disease Outbreak: Mysterious Nosebleed Turned Out to Be the Most Widespread Zoonosis Leptospirosis or Rat-Bite Fever

The government has determined that the mysterious disease outbreak that caused at least three fatalities in Tanzania was caused by leptospirosis or rat-bite fever. Last week, authorities dispatched a team of physicians and specialists to determine the cause of infections in the southeast of Lindi. According to reports, patients had symptoms such as fever, headaches, lethargy, and nosebleed.

Disease Outbreak Was The Most Widespread Zoonosis Leptospirosis

The Tanzanian government announced on Monday that patients from the Lindi region had leptospirosis. Approximately 20 people have been confirmed infected. According to the minister, there are still two people in isolation.

The health minister, Ummy Mwalimu, advised residents to stay calm and said that the diagnosis was good as the disease is curable and preventable. Leptospirosis is a known condition that can have a 15% death rate in very extreme situations. Yet, as the health minister said, it is curable.

Both humans and animals are susceptible to bacterial infection, which can cause meningitis, liver failure, kidney damage, and even death.

Although it is more frequently referred to as Weil's Disease in the UK, it is known locally as rat-bite fever or field fever. Rats, among other diseased animals, can contaminate water with their urine, which is how leptospirosis is propagated.

The disease's wide range of symptoms, which might be confused for those of other illnesses, contributes to the difficulty in treating it. In general, nosebleeds are uncommon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avoiding contact with potentially infected animals and swimming or wading in water that can be contaminated with animal urine can significantly lower the chance of contracting leptospirosis. On the other hand, people exposed to toxic water or soil due to their jobs or recreational activities should wear protective apparel or footwear.

Doctors Suspected the Disease Outbreak is Caused by a Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

The doctors suspected the signs and symptoms could indicate a viral hemorrhagic fever. It is a condition that damages the walls of the victim's microscopic blood vessels and causes them to leak. The World Health Organization identified the viruses as priority pathogens because they have the potential to become epidemic or pandemic. The four viruses were Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever, Marburg, and Ebola viruses.

Last week, Tanzania Times reported that there were 13 cases reported of people suffering from nosebleeds. Unfortunately, there were three fatalities.

Afello Sichalwe, Government Chief Physician, said the victims tested negative for the hemorrhagic viruses Marburg and Ebola previously present in the area. There were concerns that a new viral hemorrhagic fever would spread throughout the east African country when the patients' tests for Ebola and Marburg viruses returned negative.

Covid-19 tests have also come up negative for them. While the others are still in seclusion, one patient has fully recovered. At the time, he said they were still conducting epidemiological studies to determine what type of pandemic had entered the region.

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