At least 15 people died and more than 50 others were hospitalized in Tanzania due to a mysterious and frightening illness that causes patients to vomit blood, according to reports.
Some of the patients, mostly male, died within hours of developing symptoms in the country’s southern Mbeya region, The Sun reported.
Felista Kisandu, a local chief physician, said a team of experts had been sent to assess patients and investigate the cause of their illness.
“This problem has not been widespread,” said Kisandu. “It happened in just one administrative wing in Ifumbo, where people vomit blood and die when they arrive late at the hospital.”
She said the cause of the disease has not yet been identified, but that the Tanzanian Ministry of Health has “ruled out an outbreak,” according to the vehicle.
“Initial clinical examinations revealed that patients, mostly men, suffered from stomach ulcers and liver disease,” said Kisandu. “We advise you to avoid illegal alcoholic beverages, smoking cigarettes and other strong drinks.”
Authorities were testing blood and blood samples from patients for signs of mercury contamination.
Meanwhile, Tanzanian Minister of Health Dorothy Gwajika ordered Kisandu to be suspended after she made her comments.
“For creating unnecessary panic among residents, I order Dr. Felista Kisandu’s employer to suspend it in order to pave the way for the Medical Council’s investigations and send the report to me in 10 days,” said Gwajika.
Government officials said similar symptoms arose in the area when people suffered from high fever, nausea and vomited blood in 2018, according to The Sun.
News of the mysterious illness comes about a month after President John Magufuli said COVID-19 was stopped – by the power of prayer.
“The Corona in our country was removed by the powers of God,” he said on January 9, six weeks after the government stopped publicly updating the virus data.
The number of cases remains at 509 for six weeks, although the opposition figures estimate that the actual numbers could reach tens of thousands.
The population was urged to consume herbal remedies in an attempt to fight the deadly virus by increasing immunity.