From Ebola to Marburg: rare virus rocks Uganda

The deadly Marburg haemorrhagic fever in the southwestern Ugandan district of Kabale claimed a fifth life from the same family at the weekend.

Dr Patrick Tusiime, the Kabale district health officer, told The Observer that the fifth victim died on Saturday morning and was quickly buried by a team of health officials to avert the spread of the disease. The Uganda Virus Research Institute and the ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak of the Marburg virus in Rwabihondo village, Kitumba parish, Ndorwa West constituency, on Friday.

The victims include Boaz Turyahikayo, a lecturer at Uganda Christian University and his sister, Mildred Ansasiire, a primary school teacher.

“We have restricted family members from moving out to avoid spreading the disease,” Dr Tusiime explained, adding that the family members would be confined in their home from where they would be monitored for 9-10 days...  http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21675%3Afrom-ebola-to-marburg-rare-virus-rocks-uganda&catid=34%3Anews&Itemid=114