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Marburg Virus in Uganda (Update 2)

08 Nov 2017

On 7 November 2017 the World Health Organisation (WHO)  reported there have been 3 cases of Marburg virus disease in Uganda from 17 October to 3 November 2017. All 3 cases have died and came from the same family. One of the cases had travelled to Kenya before his death and another close contact travelled to Kampala. Extensive contact tracing and case searching is being carried out in the Kampala area in Kween (Kapchorwa district) in Uganda and also in Kitale district and West Pokot in Kenya.

No cases have been reported in Kenya. 

A healthcare worker is also being cared for in a treatment facility in Kween, although this person is not confirmed as a 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.