Uganda has intensified border security measures after a suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) in neighboring Tanzania’s Kagera region, which has claimed eight lives, according to senior government officials.
In response to a World Health Organization (WHO) alert, Uganda’s Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng confirmed that the government had identified several border districts at high risk of MVD transmission. These areas include Kyotera, Isingiro, Rakai, Kalangala, and Ntungamo, all of which lie along the shared border with Tanzania.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and have reinforced surveillance at all official entry points, as well as increased public health communication and active case detection in the high-risk districts,” Minister Aceng stated in a press briefing.
As of the latest updates, no confirmed or suspected cases of MVD have been reported in Uganda, though authorities remain on high alert. The disease, known for its severe symptoms including high fever, headaches, muscle aches, and bleeding, has prompted authorities to take swift action to prevent its spread across borders.
The WHO has raised the regional risk level to high due to the extensive cross-border movement between Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kagera’s strategic role as a transit hub for people and goods adds to the concerns surrounding potential transmission.
Minister Aceng reassured the public, urging residents, particularly in high-risk border districts, to remain vigilant and report any cases of individuals exhibiting symptoms or any suspicious deaths. She emphasized the importance of swift medical attention and reassured the public that health officials would provide timely updates on the evolving situation.
MVD, a zoonotic disease caused by the Marburg virus, is highly contagious and carries a fatality rate of up to 88%. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials such as blood, tissues, or surfaces. The virus has previously caused outbreaks in parts of Africa, and Ugandan authorities are now on high alert to curb any potential spread.
Health officials in Uganda are working closely with the WHO and other international partners to monitor the situation and ensure preparedness in the face of this emerging health threat.