Mystery disease kills 10 in Tanzania

By Peter Saramba Ongiri

ARUSHA, Tanzania (AA) – At least 10 people have died and 21 others hospitalized following an outbreak of an unidentified disease in central Tanzania’s Dodoma region.

Speaking on Monday, Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu confirmed the outbreak began after a family consumed meat from a cow slaughtered in a Dodoma village.

“The patients are suffering from vomiting and diarrhea and their eyes and skin have tuned yellow. Those affected were also complaining of aching stomachs,” said the minister.

Mwalimu denied that the mysterious disease could be anthrax.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, the minister said the government had appointed a team of health experts to investigate the outbreak.

“Everything will be known after completion of the investigation involving examination of the patients and samples collected from those infected,” Mwalimu said.