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Uganda on alert after marburg kills eight in Tanzania

 Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a severe and highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the same family as the one that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever, according to the WHO. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Marburg virus is primarily associated with direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people. 

The Ministry of Health is on high alert to prevent the cross -border spread of marburg virus disease (MVD) following its outbreak in Tanzania. 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least eight people have died of the virus and nine cases have been reported in Tazania, including several healthcare workers, with a case fatality rate of 89 percent. 

The country borders Uganda and given the porous border between the two countries, there is a high risk of spreading the disease.

WHO also indicates that the regional risk is considered high due to Kagera region's strategic location as a transit hub, with significant cross-border movement of the population to Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo? Reportedly, some of the suspected cases are in districts near international borders, highlighting the potential for spread into neighbouring countries.

Intervention

The Health ministry spokesperson, Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, on January 15 told this publication that the ministry has strengthened its systems to stop cross-border spread.

“Our surveillance and screening system are already on high alert on border points of the neighbouring districts,” Mr Ainebyoona said. 

He urged the general population, mostly those in the districts neighbouring the areas affected in Tanzania, to be on high alert and report any persons displaying marburg-like symptoms. As per WHO, marburg virus is primarily associated with direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people. 

Symptoms of marburg

According to WHO, marburg begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Muscle aches and pains are a common feature. Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. 

From day five of the disease, patients may develop hemorrhage manifestations including fresh blood in vomitus and faeces, and bleeding from the nose, gums and vagina. 

Last year, Uganda was on an alert following the outbreak of marburg in Rwanda that was declared on by WHO on September 27, 2024. Rwanda was able to contain the spread and WHO declared it free of virus 42 days later. 

In 2023, Tanzania also had an outbreak that was declared by WHO on March 21. The outbreak was contained and Tanzania was declared marburg-free on July 23,2023.