border caution following suspicion of Marburg outbreak in Tanzania

AI-generated Marburg virus

Uganda has intensified surveillance of its borders with neighboring Tanzania following a suspected outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) that has claimed eight lives, a senior government official said on Friday.

Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health, revealed to journalists that the World Health Organization (WHO) had alerted Uganda to the suspected outbreak in Tanzania’s Kagera region, which shares a border with Uganda .

Aceng said health authorities have identified the Ugandan border districts of Kyotera, Isingiro, Rakai, Kalangala and Ntungamo as having a high immediate risk of disease importation. According to the ministry, no confirmed or suspected cases of MVD – characterized by symptoms such as headache, high fever, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting with blood, body weakness and external bleeding – have been reported in Uganda.

Call for calm to the population of high-risk districts

“We are aware that in addition to cross-border movements through designated points of entry, there are rapid movements into non-designated points of entry,” said Jane Ruth Aceng. “We have strengthened surveillance at points of entry, active case finding and public health communication in high-risk border districts.”

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The WHO classified the regional risk as high, citing Kagera’s strategic role as a transit hub with significant cross-border movements involving Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “We advise people to remain calm, especially people in high-risk districts,” said Jane Ruth Aceng.

Providing timely updates

“They should remain vigilant and report anyone exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with those of Marburg or suspicious deaths to the nearest health facility. The ministry will monitor the situation and provide updates in a timely manner.” MVD is a highly virulent disease causing hemorrhagic fever, with a mortality rate of up to 88 percent, according to the WHO.

The virus, which is zoonotic, is transmitted to humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or with contaminated materials such as blood, tissues or surfaces. MVD is a highly virulent disease causing hemorrhagic fever, with a mortality rate of up to 88 percent, according to the WHO. The virus, which is zoonotic, is transmitted to humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or with contaminated materials such as blood, tissues or surfaces.

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