Uganda reports fatal Marburg case amid ongoing Ebola outbreak
Ugandan health officials confirmed the death of a 1.5-year-old child from Marburg virus, while authorities say no further cases have been identified.
Uganda's health ministry confirmed that a 1½-year-old child died after contracting Marburg virus disease, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Wednesday. The agency added that, to date, no contacts of the child have shown symptoms and no additional active cases are known in the country. Africa CDC spokesperson Saran Koly told Reuters that the organization is working with the Ugandan government through official public-health channels and that it cannot confirm any further cases at this time.
The World Health Organization said it was notified by Uganda of the single case on June 30, and the U.S. embassy in Kampala issued a health alert on June 29 indicating awareness of a potential case. A source cited by Stat News claimed that two Marburg cases had been detected, but said any spread appeared limited.
Marburg virus, related to Ebola, causes a severe hemorrhagic illness and shares similar transmission routes and prevention measures.
