Amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak, Ugandan health authorities have confirmed a case of Marburg virus disease in a one-and-a-half-year-old child who has since died. However, Uganda's reluctance to provide more information about the case has raised concerns.
The Marburg virus is related to Ebolaviruses and causes similar hemorrhagic fever. It spreads through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
According to Africa CDC, no other contacts of the deceased child have shown symptoms, and there are currently no additional active cases in Uganda. The World Health Organization reported a single case on June 30, while the US embassy issued a health alert on June 29.
The potential spread of Marburg virus adds to the challenges already posed by the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 1,406 cases and 438 deaths have been reported as of July 2. Uganda has had 20 Ebola cases with two fatalities.
