Key facts
- Uganda has confirmed a case of Marburg virus disease in a one-and-a-half-year-old child who died.
- The Africa CDC stated that no contacts of the deceased toddler have developed symptoms.
- The World Health Organization was informed of a single Marburg case by Uganda on June 30.
- Ugandan health officials have appeared reluctant to publicly disclose information about the Marburg case.
- Uganda is also dealing with an Ebola outbreak, reporting 20 cases and two deaths.
Amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak, Ugandan health authorities have identified a case of Marburg virus disease in a one-and-a-half-year-old child who has since died, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). However, Ugandan health officials have appeared reluctant to publicly share details about the case and its context.
The Africa CDC stated on Wednesday 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. When contacted by Reuters, a spokesperson for Uganda’s health ministry said they were unaware of a Marburg outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed it had been informed by Uganda of a single case on June 30. The US embassy in Uganda also issued a health alert on June 29, noting awareness of a “potential case.”
A source speaking anonymously to Stat News indicated that Uganda had detected two Marburg cases as of Monday, with potential spread appearing localized. The outlet suggested that concerns over travel restrictions and the impact on the local tourism industry might be contributing to the country's reticence to share more information.
Africa CDC spokesperson Saran Koly told Reuters that the agency is in communication with the Ugandan government regarding the Marburg virus disease reports but could not confirm any additional cases at this stage. The potential Marburg outbreak in Uganda adds to the challenges of managing the significant Ebola outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has reported 1,406 cases and 438 deaths as of July 2. Uganda has reported 20 Ebola cases and two deaths.