Marburg Virus Outbreak: UAE Citizens Advised Not Travel To Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of UAE issued the warning via social media post on Saturday, advising all citizens to postpone their travel to the two countries  Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea, for time being due to a deadly outbreak of the Marburg virus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued the warning via social media post on Saturday.

Marburg virus is a highly infectious and often fatal virus that is too close to the Ebola virus. The virus is transmitted through contact with infected animals, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, muscle pain, and vomiting, and that can lead to severe bleeding, organ failure, and even death.

The  UAE’s aviation industry has a responsibility to prioritize health and safety

By advising citizens against traveling to Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation also urged all citizens who are already in those countries to follow the strict instructions of local health authorities and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves against infection.

The Ministry further also suggested the citizens keep themselves up to date with the latest information regarding the outbreak from official sources.

The Ministry urged citizens who are in these countries to contact the UAE embassy or consulate in the affected countries in case of an emergency.

Last week, Equatorial Guinea, a country in East Africa, declared that the Marburg virus, a disease that is similar to the Ebola virus, had spread from rural areas to the commercial capital, Bata.

The country has confirmed at least 13 cases so far. In Tanzania, a country in West Africa, at least five people have died from the Marburg virus among eight confirmed cases.

The alarming situation has raised concerns, particularly for UAE-based airlines that fly to Tanzania. Besides the outbreak, Flydubai confirmed that its flights between Dubai and Tanzania are continuing to operate as scheduled.

However, the airline also stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew.

The Marburg virus is a highly infectious disease that has a major impact threat to public health. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has strictly suggested citizens against traveling to Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea and urging those who are already in these countries to take all necessary precautions and follow instructions from local health authorities.

And all airlines and travelers need to remain extremely careful and take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

The UAE’s airline industry has a responsibility to prioritize the health and safety of its passengers and crew while ensuring the continuity of air travel.

Saudi Arabia has also issued a warning to its residents and citizens who are already in to both Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea not to travel until the situation is effectively dealt with.

Tanzania’s health authorities have stated that the outbreak of the Marburg virus has been contained. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) regional director for Africa, has praised Tanzania’s efforts to establish the cause of the disease and respond effectively and quickly to the outbreak.

She stated that “the determination to effectively respond to the outbreak” is evident in Tanzania’s actions to stop the further spread of the virus.

The WHO is radically working closely with both Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea to fight the deadly virus outbreaks.

The organization is providing expert assistance and support, deploying health emergency experts and doctors, and supplying vital materials and medicines to handle the situation.

Dr. Moeti has assured the public that the WHO is working tirelessly with the governments of both countries to control the outbreak and take proper measures to prevent the spread of this deadly virus and eliminate it from the countries as soon as possible.

What is Marburg Virus?

The Marburg virus was first identified in 1967 when outbreaks occurred at the same time in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, as well as in Belgrade, Serbia. The virus is named after the city of Marburg where the first recognized outbreak occurred.

Related Topics

🔹UAE Astronaut Neyadi Spends A Month In Space, Witnesses Over 450 Sunrises And Sunsets

🔹Dubai Police Provide Over Dhs 11 Million In Financial And In-kind Support To Inmates

Since then, sporadic outbreaks of the Marburg virus have been reported in Africa, including Uganda, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The current outbreak in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea is an increasingly major concern, as the virus can easily spread rapidly as it is highly contagious and cause severe illness, with a high fatality rate.

The Marburg virus originated from fruit bats and the virus can rapidly spread to humans through contact with their bodily fluids.

The virus can also spread through human-to-human transmission, specifically coming into contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, vomit, or saliva, of an infected person. It is highly infectious and can be a fatal disease that raises a major concern and threat to public health.