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The media has reported on a case of Marburg haemorrhagic fever in the capital city of Kampala. The case is a 30-year-old man who was working as a radiographer in a hospital in the city. He developed symptoms around the 18 September 2014, laboratory samples taken, were tested at the Ugandan Virus Research Institute where Marburg virus infection was confirmed. The man died on 28 September 2014.
Eighty case contacts are under observation, one of whom is the brother of the case who is now also symptomatic. Sixty of the contacts are healthcare workers. Those under observation came into contact with the case either in Kampala or his burial place in Kasese, a district in western Uganda bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Uganda has reported several outbreaks of Marburg and Ebola in the past, however, the outbreaks were contained quickly, limiting fatalities. The worst outbreak of haemorrhagic fever was reported in 2000, when 425 cases were recorded with more than 50% of those,fatal cases.
( Via Reuters - accessed 07/10/14)
Marburg is one of a number of viral haemorrhagic diseases occurring in Africa. The risk is low for most travellers unless living in very poor conditions. Transmission is not fully understood, however, bats may play a role. There is a risk of disease transmission in the healthcare setting or close contact with an infected person through direct contact with infected blood, secretions, semen or organs.
