The World Health Organization (WHO) has accused the Tanzanian government of hiding information about multiple suspected Ebola cases in that country over the course of this month, hampering the containment of the deadly virus, reported Reuters.
The current outbreak which has ravaged nearby eastern Congo for more than a year has infected over 3,000 people and killed more than 2000 people since it began last August.
The United Nations agency was made aware of the suspected cases in Tanzania earlier this month. But the Tanzania government had prevented WHO from participating in blood samples testing and informed the organization that Ebola had been ruled out, although they did not offer any alternative diagnoses.
In a statement released on Saturday, WHO said that it was made aware of the death of a patient in Dar es Salaam on September 10, and unofficially told the next day that the person tested positive for Ebola. The 34-year-old female doctor had died on September 8. Her illness was apparently contagious as she infected numerous other people who come in contact with her.
“Identified contacts of the deceased were unofficially reported to be quarantined in various sites in the country,” the statement said.
The WHO said it was unofficially told that Tanzania had two other possible Ebola cases. One of the suspected Ebola patients had tested negative and while there was no information about the other.
Last weekend, the Tanzanian government officially confirmed that it had no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola. Nothing about the death of the woman was directly confirmed neither the government provided any further information.
“Clinical data, results of the investigations, possible contacts, and potential laboratory tests performed … have not been communicated to WHO”, the U.N. agency said. “The limited available official information from Tanzanian authorities represents a challenge.”
It is assumed that Tanzania relies heavily on tourism and the announcement of an Ebola outbreak in the country would have likely discouraged visitors.
