Majaliwa says govt works on mysterious disease

NELLY MTEMA in Dodoma

Aflatoxins are toxic, carcinogenic by-products of fungi that colonise maize and groundnuts, among other crops. (File photo)

PRIME Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, yesterday told the nation that the government is making concerted efforts to ensure the unknown disease is established and look for cure.

The disease is believed to have been caused by Aflatoxin insecticide. The disease that claimed lives of more than ten people in Dodoma Region raised fear in Chemba and Kondoa districts recently as their beloved ones passed away after short illness.

The premier told the National Assembly yesterday as he was winding up the august House session that among the measures the government is taking include prevention as well as looking for an alternative cure.

The premier also directed all responsible authorities to ensure that all samples are taken to a number of laboratories, the findings are obtained in the earliest possible time so that the source of the disease is known and controlled.

He said the disease which attacked 35 people in Chemba and Kondoa districts in Dodoma last month, its origin is unknown whereas the government has dispatched a team of health experts in affected areas to identify its causes and sources.

Mr Majaliwa said the samples have been taken to Tanzania Foods and Drugs Authority (TFDA), Chief Government Chemist and KCMC for critical findings. He said prior findings made on maize samples have shown that there were some tresses of Aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin is an insecticide used in protecting grains against insects and more samples have been taken to laboratories in the United States of America (USA) for further tests.

He added that more public awareness was needed on proper means and procedures when preparing maize flour as well as sorting rice prior to cooking. Last week, the Minister for Health, Social Welfare, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu, said that 13 out of 17 maize samples were tested with high level of Aflatoxin poison than the national standards.

She said among the samples contaminated with Aflatoxin, 12 of them were from Chemba District and one from Kondoa District,” Ms Mwalimu told a news conference in Dar es Salaam.

The samples of cereals tested by the TFDA included maize, sorghum and millet. The mysterious disease was detected for the first time on June 13 in Chemba District where it affected a family of nine people in Mwaikisabe Village before it spread out to surrounding areas, including Kondoa District.

“To be in a better position and assurance, pending on the results of blood tests and stool, they will be sent to the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC), my ministry is also finalising a few things with them before dispatching the samples,” the minister explained.