WHO has declared a Marburg virus illness outbreak.

The Marburg virus is a highly infectious virus that belongs to the family of filoviruses, which also includes the Ebola virus. The Marburg virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates, with a case fatality rate of up to 88%. The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, such as fruit bats or monkeys, or through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.

On 6th February 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak of Marburg virus illness in the West Nile region of Uganda. The outbreak was first identified on 31st January 2023, when a healthcare worker in the district of Kween became ill with symptoms consistent with Marburg virus illness. The healthcare worker had been caring for a patient who later died of the disease. The Uganda Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and other partners, initiated an investigation and response to the outbreak.

As of 15th February 2023, a total of 7 confirmed cases and 3 probable cases of Marburg virus illness have been reported in the districts of Kween, Kapchorwa, and Bukwo in the West Nile region of Uganda. Four of the confirmed cases and two of the probable cases have died, resulting in a case fatality rate of 67%. The cases range in age from 24 to 57 years, and all have reported a history of contact with an index case, either through caring for a sick relative or attending the funeral of a known case.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO and other partners, has initiated a response to the outbreak, which includes case management, contact tracing, laboratory testing, and community engagement. The response is being led by the district health teams in the affected districts, with support from national and international partners. WHO has deployed a team of experts to support the response and is providing technical guidance and coordination to the national and district health authorities.

The response to the outbreak is facing several challenges, including the remote and hard-to-reach location of the affected districts, limited laboratory capacity for Marburg virus testing, and limited resources for case management and infection prevention and control. The response is also facing resistance from some community members, who are reluctant to participate in contact tracing and other response activities due to fear and misinformation about the virus.

To address these challenges, the response is focusing on strengthening laboratory capacity for Marburg virus testing, improving community engagement and risk communication, and mobilizing additional resources for case management and infection prevention and control. The response is also working to address the underlying social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.

The outbreak of Marburg virus illness in Uganda is a reminder of the ongoing threat of emerging infectious diseases and the importance of strong and resilient health systems. The response to the outbreak highlights the need for effective coordination and collaboration among national and international partners, as well as the importance of community engagement and risk communication in ensuring an effective response. The WHO is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to provide additional support as needed.