MINISTRY OF HEALTH
PRESS STATEMENT
5th October 2014
The Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that there is a
confirmed case of Marburg in the country.
This initial case follows laboratory tests done at the Uganda Virus Research
Institute (UVRI) on September 30th 2014 which confirmed that one person, a
health worker, had died of the viral hemorrhagic fever.
The index case is a 30-year-old male Radiographer, who originally was working
in Mpigi Health Centre IV, Mpigi Town Council but had been recruited by Mengo
Hospital two month ago as a Radiographer. He started feeling unwell on
September 17th while at Mengo Hospital and travelled back to Mpigi HCIV on
September 18th to seek treatment since he felt more comfortable with a facility
that he had worked with for a long time.
He was treated at Mpigi Health Center IV but when his condition worsened, he
was transferred back to Mengo Hospital where he was admitted on September 23rd.
He presented with Headache, Epistaxis, abdominal pain, vomiting blood and
diarrhea. His condition deteriorated on September 27th and a Viral Haemorraghic
fever was suspected. Blood samples were removed for further analysis on
September 28th; unfortunately he died on the same day. His body was taken to
Munkunyu 1 Village, Munkunyu Sub-county, Kasese district for burial.
Preliminary reports also show that his brother, one of the contacts so far
listed has developed signs. He has been quarantined and isolated for further
monitoring. Samples have been taken from him and are being tested at the Uganda
Virus Research Institute. The public will be informed of his status. Altogether
80 contacts have been listed from Mengo, Mpigi and Kasese for follow up.
Marburg Viral Haemorraghic fever is a fatal illness caused by the Marburg virus
which belongs to the filoviridae family together with the Ebola virus. The
incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days while the Case fatality rates vary
from 24% to 88%. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the
natural hosts of Marburg virus. The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from
the fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission by
direct contact with wounds and body fluids like blood, saliva, vomitus, stool
and urine of an infected person.
A person suffering from Marburg presents with sudden onset of high fever with
any of the following;
1. Headache
2. Vomiting blood
3. Joint and muscle pains
4. Bleeding through the body openings, i.e. eyes, nose, gums, ears, anus and
the skin.
There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available; patients are
usually given supportive treatment.
The Ministry of Health is undertaking the following measures to control the
spread of the disease;
• Yesterday, a team of epidemiologists and surveillance officers were sent to
Mpigi Health Center IV, Mengo Hospital and to Kasese district to investigate
the case and list all people who got into contact with the dead.
• So far, a total of 80 people who got into contact with the initial confirmed
case have been identified and isolated as a precautionary measure and for
follow up for any signs and symptoms within the 21 days incubation period.
These include 38 health workers from Mengo Hospital, including his brother and
22 health workers from Mpigi Health Center IV and 20 people from Kasese
district. They are currently being monitored by a team of epidemiologists from
the Ministry of Health.
• Arrangements have been put in place to transport all suspect cases to the
National Isolation Facility in Entebbe should they occur. The facility is
already stocked with the necessary infection control materials and other
supplies to handle any incoming patients.
• Arrangements have also been made at Mengo Hospital to isolate any suspect
with symptoms. Health workers have been asked to effect all infection control
measures.
• Preparations are underway to train all health workers at Mengo Hospital and
Mpigi Health Center IV on infection control starting tomorrow 6/10/2014 at
9.00am
• Government working with partners and specifically Medicens San Frontiers
(MSF) are in the process of revamping the isolation facility at Mulago National
Referral Hospital under the leadership of Kampala Capital City Authority in
readiness and the facility will be ready in three days time.
• MSF is also mobilizing additional resources to assist with infection control
and case management at all the isolation facilities that have been set up.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing technical assistance and
logistical support (PPE’s) to all the affected facilities.
• In Kasese, a team has been dispatched to work with the district official and
Kagando Hospital to trace for any other suspects.
• Personal Protective Equipments (PPE’s) and other supplies have been mobilized
and sent to Mengo and Mpigi health center IV and Kagando HCIV.
• National Medical Stores will supply additional infection control materials to
Mengo Hospital and Mpigi HCIV by tomorrow morning.
The Ministry of Health however informs the general Public that Mengo Hospital
is safe and all measures have been taken to ensure that there is no further
spread of infection. Patients are encouraged to continue to receive services
from there.
Ministry of Health urges the general public to observe the following protective
measures;
• Report any suspected patient to a nearby health unit
• Avoid direct contact with body fluids of a person presenting with bleeding
tendencies or symptoms of Marburg.
The Ministry of Health once again calls upon the public to remain calm and be
on alert amidst this epidemic. All suspect cases can be reported on the
Ministry hotline on +256750996034.
Hon. Elioda Tumwesigye
Minister of State for General Duties &
Holding the Portfolio[truncated by WhatsApp]
--
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
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