Suspected Marburg infected health workers confirmed negative

Oct 25, 2017

“Additional tests also indicated that the cases were negative for Ebola, Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Rift Valley Fever and Sosuga viruses,”

HEALTH

The two health workers who were suspected to have contracted Marburg after treating a confirmed case of Marburg in Kapchorwa hospital have tested negative for the viral infection.

According to a press release from the Office of the Director General Health Services in the Ministry of health, blood specimens were obtained from two health workers and taken for laboratory testing at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).

"Additional tests also indicated that the cases were negative for Ebola, Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Rift Valley Fever and Sosuga viruses," read the press release.

However, there is currently one case on isolation at Kaproron HC IV in Kween district. The case, a 39 year-old male from Korosi village, Kamwam parish in Kaproron Sub County presented with vomiting, nausea, intense fatigue, headache and abdominal pain for five days. He had no known contact history with any of the cases previously identified.

"A blood sample was taken off for MVD testing. He was started on anti malarials and intravenous fluids," reads the press release.

The total number of contacts under follow up currently stands at 105 from both Kapchorwa and Kween districts.

These are the individuals who got into contact with either the probable or confirmed case and will be monitored until the recommended 21 days elapse.

Earlier, the health minister Ruth Aceng said there is no drug to cure the virus and advised the public to report suspected cases.

She advised the public to avoid contact with patients suffering from Marburg, since the virus can be contracted through body fluids. Suspected cases can be reported to the Ministry of Health hotline on 0800-100-066.

Symptoms may include:

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea (may be bloody)

Red eyes

Raised rash

Chest pain and cough

Sore throat

Stomach pain

Severe weight loss

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});