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Urbanization and population growth have resulted in the increase of construction of housing and drilling boreholes around cemeteries causing potential public health and environmental concerns. Although cemeteries provide ecosystem services including green space, micrometeorology control and storm water infiltration, they pose a unique threat to the quality of groundwater as pollutants migrate from graves to aquifers. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the quality of water from boreholes around cemeteries in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania. The study involved groundwater sampling from 23 boreholes in five wards. DR/4000 Spectrophotometer was used to analyze nutrients in the laboratory, and data analysis involved univariate and multivariate analysis. Findings indicated that some boreholes located along cemeteries had elevated values of EC and nutrients. The value of EC ranged between (469.5 μS/cm–2,852.33 μS/cm), NH3-N (0.16 mg/L–6.9 mg/L) while NO3− ranged from 9.21 mg/L to 239.5 mg/L whereby, 91.3% of sampled boreholes had elevated concentration of NO3− above 50 mg/L permissible limit, NO2-N (0.01 mg/L–2.17 mg/L), which is also above the 0.5 mg/L TZS and WHO guidelines. These results are indicators that there is potential pollution from cemeteries that calls upon proper urban planning. This study recommends groundwater quality monitoring and alternative drinking water sources around cemeteries in the study area.

Purpose: Composting agro-wastes enhances plant growth with minimal health and environmental threats. Thus, this study focused on the potential of composting rice husk (Oryza sativa) with water fern plants(azolla) to increase agricultural productivity with minimal health and environmental pollutions.Method: The study employed laboratory experimentation and analysis. In experimental design the Minitab software was used to design these experiments whereby two factors were considered which are the particle size (2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm) and mixing ratio (1:3; 1:1; 3:1 and 4:0; 0:4). Fifteen (15) wood compartments with dimensions of 30 cm x â ââ30cm ââx 35 cm each cube of ââmaximum carrying capacity ââof 5 kg were developed.Results: The results for physical and chemical properties of feedstockâs showed that rice husks contained 8.55% of Moisture Content, pH (6.15), total organic carbon (46.1%), ash content (20.6%), PO43- (2475 mg/kg), K (5042 mg/kg), Na (1490.4 mg/kg), total nitrogen (0.735%) and Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (34.21). Azolla contained Moisture Content (93.48%), pH (6.73), TOC (42.67%), TN (3.255%), C/N ratio (13.02%), PO43-, (4262.5mg/kg), K (1268 mg/kg), and Na (7379.52 mg/kg). The composting made using samples with particle size of < 2 mm were observed to support the growth of Amaranthus spinous quickly with the average growth rate of 0.9572 cm/day than other compost produced with particles size of 3 mm and 4 mmConclusion: This study shows that there is a potential of composting rice husks with azolla for nutrient resource recovery to support crop productivity.

Background Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a deadly illness caused by the zoonotic Marburg virus, which has led to outbreaks with fatality rates up to 100% in some African countries. On March 21, 2023, Tanzania had its first MVD outbreak, resulting in nine cases and six deaths, leading to a fatality rate of 66.7%. Following that, the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) approach was promptly initiated to create community awareness regarding the MVD. A descriptive cross-sectional assessment was conducted in May 2023 in Bukoba District Council and Bukoba Municipal Council in the Kagera region to document the community awareness and sources of information regarding MVD during the outbreak. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed using the WHO COVID-19 RCCE Rapid Quantitative Assessment Tool. Descriptive analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel 2021. Results There were a total of 714 community respondents, of whom 456 (63.9%) were from Bukoba District Council. The majority 628 (88%) were aged 18 years and above. There were 393 (55%) females, and 407 (57%) of respondents had completed primary education. All respondents reported being informed about MVD through different channels, with 588 (82.4%) receiving information from Community Health Workers. Most of them 573 (80.3%) were satisfied with implemented RCCE interventions, 651 (91.2%) perceived MVD to be an extremely severe disease, and 698 (97.76%) mentioned hand washing as one of the recommended preventive measures. Conclusions During the Marburg virus disease outbreak response, where risk communication and community engagement interventions were implemented, the community was aware of the Marburg virus disease and community health workers emerged as the most frequently mentioned channel of communication during the outbreak.

Tanzania declared a Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak on March 21, 2023, reporting nine cases and six deaths (case fatality rate (CFR) 66.7%). Detection began when a Community Health Worker (CHW) reported unexplained illness via the electronic EBS (e-EBS) system, triggering a national outbreak response. This study documents the Early Warning, Alert and Response (EWAR) interventions carried out during the MVD outbreak response in the Kagera region to identify strengths and bottlenecks for strengthening future outbreak preparedness and response efforts. We documented EWAR interventions using retrospective surveillance document review. MVD outbreak detection and reporting timeliness were compared with Tanzania's EBS indicators and the 7-1-7 target. Surveillance interventions included additional staff deployment, equipment addition, and tool adoption. Community sensitization efforts utilized Swahili-translated informational cards to facilitate early detection and reporting of signals through multiple channels, including the 199-hotline number, EBS desk numbers and via e-EBS and verified using the standard case definition (SCD). Signals were compiled in Microsoft Excel, where descriptive analysis using frequencies to show trends was conducted. Suspected MVD cases were sent for laboratory confirmation. On March 15, 2023, a CHW reported a signal in the e-EBS system within 24 hours. However, a community member and HCWs missed unusual signs of the MVD index case. Five additional members were deployed to support data management using the equipment provided, including three laptops, ten smartphones, and adapted tools. A total of 6,260 informational cards were distributed during community sensitization; 176 MVD signals were reported, where 48 (27.3%) met the SCD, and 37 were sent for laboratory confirmation, of which 2.7% tested positive for the virus. Most signals, 107 (60.8%), were reported in April. The government should adopt the 7-1-7 target and strengthen community and health facility EBS through ongoing mentorship for EWAR.

Groundwater is a critical water source supporting over 2.5 billion people globally and accounting for 43% of water used for irrigation worldwide. In this study, the suitability of groundwater quality in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for drinking and irrigation purposes was assessed. Groundwater samples were collected from 25 boreholes and analyzed for physical chemical, and bacteriological parameters. Water quality index (WQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), percentage of sodium (Na %), magnesium hazard (MH) and permeability index (PI) were used to evaluate groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Also, Pearson correlation coefficient, Piper diagram, Multivariate analysis were used to assess the groundwater quality. Results indicated that groundwater in the study area is characterized by concentration of cations in the order of Na +  > Ca 2+  > Mg 2+  > K + and anions Cl −  > CO 3 2−  > HCO 3 −  > SO 4 2− . Groundwater in the study area is predominantly characterized by Na–K–Cl water type signifying influence of seawater intrusion. Furthermore, 44% and 12% of the groundwater samples were considered unsafe for drinking and irrigation purposes, respectively. This study recommends that groundwater in the study area can be used for drinking purposes with minimal treatment at household level and be used for irrigation purposes to support plant growth.