Mystery disease strikes Mozambican province

MAPUTO: An outbreak of a strange disease in the district of Tsangano, in the central Mozambican province of Tete, has killed at least 20 people since it was first reported last May, Mozambian news agency (AIM) said quoting a local media report.

At present there some 142 infected, reported Mozambique’s state television TVM on Saturday.

The health authorities in Tete are concerned with the outbreak of this disease, since it is still unclear its real source.


According to the health authorities, they are still waiting for laboratory results of the samples sent to the neighbouring South Africa.

The disease attacks the central nervous system. In the early the stages its symptoms are similar to malaria, including abdominal pain, and loss of voice in its advanced stages.

As the origin of the disease is still unknown, the team of doctors both national and foreign working in the region are just prescribing antibiotics to the patients.

Meanwhile, the health authorities, in partnership with other relevant entities, including community leaders, have already launched a sanitation campaign in the affected communities.

There is a suspicion that the disease may have its origin in the region of Maujete, district of Tsangano, in the province of Tete, which still lacks a health centre.

Some of the patients have been taken to a district hospital in Neno, in neighbouring Malawi, for treatment.

The province of Tete shares the same border with Malawi.