Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever in Uganda

23 Oct 2012

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Uganda has declared an outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever in Kitumba sub-county, Kabale district in South-western Uganda. 

As of 21 October 2012, nine (9) probable and confirmed cases, including 5 deaths have been reported with Marburg haemorrhagic fever. Of these, 3 have been laboratory confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute. An investigation into the outbreak is ongoing. Preliminary investigations indicate that all these cases belong to the same cluster – family and relatives of the index case.

Advice for Travellers

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.