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Tanzania’s Health Ministry on Friday denied that Zika virus had been detected in the East African country, just hours after a top medical research institute had reported its presence.
Research by the National Institute for Medical Research was aimed at checking the effectiveness and ability of equipment used to test Zika virus.
The ministry said in a statement that the results needed further verification.
NIMR director Mwele Malecela had told newsmen in Swahili-language service that preliminary research indicated the virus was present among Tanzanians.
Transmission of the mosquito-borne virus, which can cause neurological problems, has been reported in dozens of countries, mostly in Latin America.
According to the World Health Organisation In Africa, the Zika virus has been confirmed to be present only in Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau since 2015.
“Surveillance is a challenge in Africa as elsewhere.
“There might be more cases than reported, including in Africa,” WHO spokeswoman, Fadela Chaib, said.