Man dies from Ebola-like Marburg virus in Uganda

A hospital technician has died of the Ebola-like Marburg virus in Kampala, the Ugandan government announced on Sunday. The man, aged 30, died in the Mengo hospital where he worked in the capital of the east African country on September 28, 11 days after falling ill. Tests confirmed the presence of the disease two days later. The Marburg virus is one of the most deadly known pathogens. Like Ebola, it causes severe bleeding, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.

So far, a total of 80 people who got into contact with the initial confirmed case have been identified and isolated.

Uganda’s health ministry in statement

The victim’s brother and one other person he was in contact with have so far “developed signs” of the disease. Uganda’s Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said the government could deal with any outbreak. Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids and fatality rates range from 25 per cent to 80 per cent. Researchers announced in August that a drug developed by Canada’s Tekmira Pharmaceuticals helped monkeys survive the deadly Marburg infection in tests.

Uganda has previously successfully handled similar situations of health threats involving hemorrhagic fevers,

Uganda’s Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, on Twitter

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