![WHO officials examine the home of a suspected Marburg virus victim in the northern Angola [File: Reuters]](/wp-content/themes/javanetsystems/cache/image-25-24e48a60.png)
Ugandans urged to report any suspected cases of Marburg
Following the outbreak of Marburg fever in Bukoba district, Kagera region, north western Tanzania, few kilometers away from Uganda –Tanzania Border, members of the public have been called upon to remain vigilant.
The Isingiro District LC V chairperson, Aaron Turahi confirmed that one person was on Friday Isolated from public and is now being monitored from Rubondo HC III after showing signs and symptoms similar to those of Marburg Fever.
Turahi urged people of Isingiro to remain vigilant and report any suspected case to Health Authorities than keeping quiet.
The Ibanda District Health Officer, Dr Julius Bamwine intimated to our reporter that the disease is viral hemorrhagic fever hence urged people of Ibanda to remain observant since Isingiro District is not far from Ibanda.
According to Dr Bamwine, in 2012, the Marburg fever claimed 37 lives in Ibanda District and this has forced them to have a strong surveillance team in place immediately before the outbreak.
Uganda’s ministry of health has also ordered screening and testing at its southern border following an outbreak of Marburg virus that has since killed five people in Tanzania.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal, zoonotic haemorrhagic disease caused by the Marburg virus.
WHO explains that Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids from infected persons, or contact with equipment and other materials contaminated with infectious blood or tissues, body fluids of infected people, and contaminated surfaces or materials.
