Uganda Strengthens Defenses Against Marburg Virus Threat from Rwanda

By: Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2024.As Rwanda grapples with a recent outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), Uganda's Ministry of Health has swiftly moved to high alert, implementing stringent measures to prevent cross-border spread of the deadly virus. The outbreak in Rwanda, which has already claimed eight lives and infected 26 individuals, poses a significant threat to neighboring countries, particularly Uganda due to frequent movement of people across their shared border.

Dr. Allan Muruta, the commissioner of Integrated Epidemiology Surveillance and Public Health Emergencies in Uganda's Health Ministry, emphasized the country's proactive approach: "We have put up a checklist to see which aspects we should strengthen as a country for readiness to prevent and detect the Marburg [virus] in the neighboring country."

This comprehensive checklist covers crucial areas such as coordination, surveillance, risk communication and risk management. The primary goal is to ensure Uganda's preparedness in detecting, isolating and managing potential cases while simultaneously educating the public about the virus and its symptoms.

Dr. Muruta expressed confidence in Uganda's ability to contain the threat, drawing from past successes: "We successfully prevented the one (Marburg virus disease outbreak) in Tanzania one year ago from coming to Uganda, we hope even this one we will manage."

The Marburg virus is a formidable adversary, with a mortality rate ranging from 24% to 88%. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease begins abruptly with high fever, severe headache and extreme body weakness. Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within a week of infection.

"The virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads from one infected person to another," the WHO explains. "Marburg can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (such as beddings, clothing) contaminated with these fluids."

Uganda is no stranger to MVD outbreaks. In October 2017, the country faced its own challenge when cases were reported in Kween District, Eastern Uganda. However, swift action and effective containment strategies allowed Uganda to overcome the threat.

As Rwanda battles its outbreak, the international community has rallied to provide support. The WHO has joined Rwandan health authorities to intensify control efforts, deploying emergency medical supplies and preparing to deliver additional clinical care and infection prevention resources from its Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi, Kenya.

Uganda's heightened vigilance and preparedness serve as a crucial line of defense against the potential spread of MVD. By leveraging past experiences and implementing comprehensive preventive measures, the country aims to safeguard its population and contribute to regional health security.

Source: Daily Monitor News.

Related:

Rwanda Declares Marburg Virus Outbreak With 8 Deaths

Published: OCTOBER 4, 2024

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