Outbreak of the Deadly Marburg Virus - Are Hundreds Already Infected in Uganda?

World Health Organization tries to stem the outbreak of the Marburg virus

In eastern Uganda, an outbreak of the Marburg virus has been detected. At least one person has already died of the disease and potentially hundreds of people have been infected. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently working to contain the outbreak as effectively as possible.

At least one case of the Marburg virus has occurred on the border with Kenya in eastern Uganda. It is therefore very important that further infection of other persons is avoided. The WHO warned in a news release about the spread of the disease and said it was working to stem the outbreak.

In Uganda, an outbreak of the Marburg virus has occurred. This disease is very dangerous and often leads to death of the patients. The WHO is now trying to avoid further spread. (Image: mario_vender / fotolia.com)

It is possible that many people have already been infected

As at least one person has died from the consequences of the Marburg virus, experts say that hundreds of other people in health care facilities and at the traditional funeral ceremony in the so-called Kween district could have become infected. This district is a mountain area located 300 kilometers northeast of Kampala.

50-year-old woman dies from the effects of the Marburg virus

The first case of the Marburg virus was detected by the health authorities on 17 October. Affected was a 50-year-old woman, who had already died on 11 October in a health center with fever, bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea. Subsequent investigations in the laboratory at the Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Uganda showed that the cause of death was actually due to the Marburg virus.

Comes the infection from Rousettus bats?

The experts also found in their investigation that the woman's brother had died of similar symptoms three weeks previously. Subsequently, the man was buried at a traditional funeral. The brother of the woman worked as a hunter and lived near a cave in which so-called Rousettus bats live. These animals are natural hosts of the Marburg virus, explain the scientists.

Two other suspected cases have already occurred

At present, a suspected infection and a highly probable case will be more closely examined and medically treated. In one case, the probability that the person affected by the so-called hemorrhagic fever, the experts report. In the other case, there is only suspicion of Marburg fever. Of course, the responsible health authorities are trying to reach all people who might have come in contact with the virus.

Expert team travels to the affected region

As a quick response to the health threat, a medical team was immediately dispatched to the affected area. These experts are supported by World Health Organization staff, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers (CDC) and the AFNET (African Field Epidemiology Network).

WHO provides $ 500,000 in emergency aid

The World Health Organization provides medical supplies and guidance on safe and dignified burials. In addition, $ 500,000 has been provided by the World Health Organization to finance emergency measures.

Countermeasures must be implemented quickly and effectively

"We're working with health authorities to quickly implement response measures," explains Drs. Ibrahima-Soce Fall, the WHO director for the Africa region. Uganda has already overcome Ebola and Marburg outbreaks, but international support is still urgently needed. Thus, the very high overall risk of national and regional spread of this disease can be avoided before a true epidemic occurs, adds the expert.

What is the Marburg virus?

The Marburg viral disease is a rare disease with a very high mortality rate. So far there is no specific treatment for the disease. The pathogen triggers Marburg fever in humans (a haemorrhagic fever). The rate of mortality from this disease is at least 23 to 25 percent, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In various outbreaks in Africa, however, the observed mortality rate was much higher. (As)