WHO provides update on Marburg virus outbreak in eastern Uganda

The World Health Organization (WHO) provided an update on Wednesday regarding the recently confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) emanating from Uganda’s Kween District.

As of Oct. 24, five cases of MVD have been reported. One case has been confirmed through laboratory testing, one is considered a probable case due to an epidemiological link to the first confirmed case, and three are being considered as suspected cases.

The first suspected case appeared on Sept. 20 when a game hunter who lived near a cave populated by Egyptian fruit bats, which are known carriers of MVD, checked himself into a local health center with symptoms including high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. After not responding to antimalarial treatments, the man’s condition slowly deteriorated and was referred to a neighboring hospital. He died later that same day.

WHO noted that no samples were collected from the first case and he was given a traditional burial, which was attended by approximately 200 people.

The lone confirmed case appeared on Oct. 5, when the man’s sister checked herself into the same local health center with symptoms including high fever and bleeding manifestations. As her condition worsened, she was subsequently transferred to the same referral hospital, where she later died.

Posthumous samples were collected from the woman and were sent to Uganda’s Virus Research Institute, which later confirmed infection on Oct. 17.

An additional suspected case is the brother of the first two cases. WHO said the man assisted in the transport of his sister to the hospital and subsequently became symptomatic. However, the man refused to be admitted to the hospital and soon returned to his community. His whereabouts are currently unknown to health care workers.

Two health care workers who were in contact with the confirmed case have also developed symptoms consistent with MVD infection. WHO said laboratory results on both cases are still pending.

In order to mitigate the virus’ spread, WHO said contact tracing and follow-up efforts were being conducted with approximately 155 people, including 66 individuals who had contact with the first suspected case and 89 who had contact with the confirmed case.

Due to the highly-populated nature of the affected areas, including known tourist locations, WHO said there was a high risk at national and regional levels of further MVD spread, which required an immediate, coordinated response with support from international partners.

MVD is a viral hemorrhagic fever with symptoms that are similar to Ebola virus disease. According to WHO data, the average fatality rate for MVD infection ranges from 23 to 90 percent, depending on the particular virus strain and case management.