The chief health inspector urged the public to remain calm
Authorities in Tanzania are investigating a mysterious disease that has spread to the south of the country and has killed three people so far.
Thirteen cases of infection were reported in Lindi province, with patients suffering from Ebola-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headache, fatigue and bleeding, especially from the nose.
The Ministry of Health says that the results of preliminary laboratory tests rule out the possibility of infection with Ebola or Marburg.
Contacts are being traced, and the authorities have quarantined five people.
Chief Health Inspector Dr Ifelo Sechaloye said he urged Tanzanians to remain calm while the matter was investigated.
He also urged anyone with symptoms to seek medical help immediately.
Ebola is a serious infectious disease, which leads to internal bleeding in the body, and is often fatal. The disease spreads by contacting any small amounts of body secretions, and its initial symptoms, which are similar to those of influenza, usually do not appear clearly.
Fruit bats are believed to be the main carrier of the disease, but it was transmitted to humans through people contacting infected animals’ blood, organs, or body secretions.
These animals include chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, and antelopes.