Uganda maintains diagnostic capacity efforts despite overcoming Marburg
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Efforts underway in Uganda to strengthen active surveillance of Marburg haemorrhagic fever (MHF) are continuing despite news that last month's human outbreak appears to be under control. Laboratory testing of suspected cases of MHF have confirmed the presence of the virus in the mineworker thought to be the so-called index case and in a close contact, the WHO announced on August 14. Also, the period of observation imposed on all extended contacts is coming to an end. However, surveillance efforts, including further testing of potential contacts, are being maintained pending confirmation of the reservoir of the virus, thought to be bats in a remote reserve in the west of the country. The WHO, US CDC and the African Field Epidemiology Network are among the bodies collaborating with the health ministry.