436 being monitored for Marburg signs

By Vision Reporters

The Ministry of Health and experts from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention have set up a field diagnostic laboratory in Kabale district to quicken testing of suspected Marburg cases.

It will take three hours, instead of 24 hours, for patients to get their results at the new facility based at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.

Health minister Dr. Christine Ondoa said the facility would also serve neighbouring districts while further serological results are to be undertaken at the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe.

The Kabale district health officer, Dr. Patrick Tusiime confirmed that the lab started tests on Sunday.

He said the equipment they got had reduced on the time required to transport specimen to Entebbe, which required 48 hours to get feedback.

He disclosed that three of the eight patients admitted at Rushoroza Health Centre III had tested negative.

He, however, said the hospital was facing logistical challenges in the use of ambulances and the transportation of burial teams.

At least eight people have been confirmed to have died from the Marburg infection over the last three weeks. Other 12 suspected cases have been isolated and are under surveillance in Kabale, Ibanda and Kampala districts.

Marburg 29