Joseph Isangura
The Tanzanian government, via the Ministry of Health, has issued a public warning about an increase in respiratory infections and mosquito-borne diseases across various regions, notably along the coastal areas and the bustling city of Dar es Salaam.
On May 20, 2025, the Chief Government Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, addressed the public regarding changes in disease patterns observed recently. She highlighted a significant rise in COVID-19 cases from February through April, noting that infections grew from 1.4% in February to over 16% by April.
Dr. Magembe explained this increase is mostly linked to seasonal shifts that favor the spread of respiratory viruses such as the influenza virus, but reassured that no new pandemic-level virus strain has been detected.
Given the ongoing risk, the Ministry has reminded citizens of the importance of simple yet effective health measures. These include covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wearing face masks when necessary, washing hands frequently with soap and clean water, or using hand sanitizers. Keeping both personal and surrounding environments clean is also strongly encouraged.
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Additionally, the government expressed concern over the potential rise of diseases spread by mosquitoes, such as malaria and dengue fever, especially with the current rainy season creating favorable breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
To protect themselves, Tanzanians are urged to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing stagnant water, use insecticide-treated bed nets, spray insecticides indoors, and wear protective clothing during early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.
Common symptoms of these illnesses can include high fever, severe headaches, skin rashes, persistent cough, flu-like symptoms, and breathing difficulties. Because these symptoms often overlap, Dr. Magembe advised anyone feeling unwell to seek medical attention promptly for proper testing and treatment.
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor these trends closely and calls on all Tanzanians to stay alert and maintain preventive habits. For more information, people are encouraged to consult resources from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
