In a follow-up on the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Uganda, the Ministry of Health reported in an update Thursday that the number of cumulative cases has grown to 9 – two confirmed, four suspected, three probable cases. Six cases have been ruled out.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

In Kween district, health officials managed to get a high risk contact who has been in hiding and was found to have developed Marburg-like symptoms.

This patient is a 38-year-old male, brother to the confirmed case and the probable case. Because of his close contact with the probable and confirmed cases, he was listed as a high risk contact. However, he refused review and follow-up by the contact tracing/surveillance team despite several attempts to do so. On the 24 Oct 2017, however, he accepted to speak to the contact tracing team which noted that he had developed Marburg – like symptoms. He was transported to the isolation unit with fever, body weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, joint pains and history of vomiting blood while at home. Despite the tireless efforts from a dedicated case management team to revive this case, he unfortunately passed away earlier Thursday.

A blood sample picked from this patient was sent to Uganda Virus Research Institute and tested positive for Marburg Virus Disease.

The other suspect case is a 25-year-old female from a village called government lodge, Kawowo parish, in Kapchorwa district who presented with Marburg – like symptoms. She has since been isolated and a sample was collected for confirmation. A pregnancy test was done and is positive. Her condition is however stable.

The new probable case is a 23-year-old male from Toywo village, Western Division, Kapchorwa Municipality. He shared a ward and his bed was next to the deceased confirmed case. A blood sample was collected and the case is still under isolation at Kapchorwa hospital in stable condition. His lab results are expected by tomorrow.

The total number of contacts under follow up currently stands at 130, 85 from Kween, and 45 from Kapchorwa district. None of the contacts has developed symptoms to date.

As of Thursday, 32 out of the 77 contacts from Kapchorwa district had either completed the recommended 21 days after exposure, or are no longer being followed because the case they were exposed to turned out to be negative.

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