Amid disease surveillance for the ongoing Ebola outbreak, Ugandan health authorities identified a case of Marburg virus disease in a one-and-a-half-year-old child, who has died, according to Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Ugandan health officials appear reluctant to publicly disclose information about the case and its context.
Marburg virus is related to Ebolaviruses and causes similar hemorrhagic disease. Its transmission routes and prevention measures are likewise similar.
On Wednesday, Africa CDC told Reuters that no contacts of the deceased toddler had developed symptoms, and there were no other current active cases in the country, citing Ugandan health authorities. But when Reuters reached out to Uganda’s health ministry, a spokesperson said he was not aware of a Marburg outbreak.
The World Health Organization, meanwhile, said it had been informed by Uganda of a single case on June 30. And the US embassy in Uganda issued a health alert on June 29, saying it was aware of a “potential case.”
An anonymous “well-placed source” told Stat News that Uganda had actually detected two cases of Marburg as of Monday but that potential spread appeared localized. The outlet noted that concerns about travel restrictions, including those from the US, and the impact on the local tourism industry may be driving the country’s reluctance to share more information.
On Wednesday, Africa CDC spokesperson Saran Koly told Reuters that the agency is “engaging the Government of Uganda through official public health channels on reports concerning Marburg virus disease. At this stage, we cannot confirm reports of any additional case.”
The possible flare of Marburg in Uganda will only add to the challenges of responding to the overwhelming Ebola outbreak raging in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of July 2, the DRC is reporting 1,406 Ebola cases and 438 deaths. Uganda has reported 20 Ebola cases and two deaths. The outbreak is already the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.
