Marburg confirmed in Uganda

HEALTH | MARBURG

One person has died of the Marburg Virus Disease, health minister Dr Ruth Aceng has said.

Addressing a news conference in Kampala today, Aceng said the confirmation follows laboratory tests conducted by Uganda Virus Institute.

"The Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that there are confirmed cases of the Marburg Virus Disease at the moment. The type of virus is called Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF)," the minister said.

As of October 19, only one case had been confirmed. The case was of a 50-year-old female from Chemuron village, Moyok Parish in Kapchorwa district.

Aceng said preliminary investigations found that the deceased had nursed her 42-year-old brother, who died on September 25. He was a hunter.

The minister said there is no drug to cure the virus and advised the public to report suspected cases.

Aceng said the ministry has sent a team of experts to affected districts of Kapchorwa and Kween and have set up an isolation centres for patients.

She advised the public to avoid contact with patients suffering from Marburg, since the virus can be contracted through body fluids.

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea (may be bloody)
• Red eyes.
• Raised rash.
• Chest pain and cough.
• Sore throat.
• Stomach pain.
• Severe weight loss.