Three reported Marburg cases in Uganda outbreak have died, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported recently that the three previously reported cases of Marburg virus disease in the Kween District of Eastern Uganda had died as of November 3, resulting in an overall case-fatality rate of 100 percent for the outbreak.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health (MoH) notified WHO of a confirmed outbreak of the disease on Oct. 17. The Ministry of Health officially declared the outbreak on Oct. 19.

The second confirmed case traveled to Kenya prior to his death. One close contact of the second confirmed case was reported to have traveled to Kampala. Contact tracing and active case search is ongoing in these areas.

On Nov. 4, a high-risk contact of the second confirmed case, a health care worker in Kween, developed symptoms and was admitted to the treatment facility in Kween.

WHO noted that there is a high risk associated with the event at national and regional level. It requires an immediate, coordinated response with support from international partners. The risk related to the event at the global level is low.

WHO described Marburg virus disease as an emerging, highly virulent, epidemic-prone disease with high case fatality rates of 23–90 percent. Outbreaks of the disease are rare. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected persons or animals.

Candidate experimental treatments and vaccine are under review for potential clinical trials.