WHO confirmed on 30 June 2026 a Marburg virus disease (MVD) case in Uganda: an 18‑month‑old child from Kyegegwa district died; the case was detected through enhanced Ebola surveillance already active in the country.
Current situation
- Notification: Uganda notified WHO of the confirmed MVD case on 30 June 2026; Africa CDC confirmed the isolated case on 1 July 2026.
- Index case: 18‑month‑old child from Kyegegwa district; fatal outcome.
- Transmission status: As of early July 2026, contact tracing was ongoing and no contacts had developed symptoms.
- Context: Case identified during enhanced surveillance for a concurrent Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak.
Virology & reservoir
- Family: Marburg virus belongs to the Filoviridae family (same family as Ebola viruses).
- Reservoir: Primary reservoir is the Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus.
- Transmission: Occurs via direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects (fomites).
Clinical features & outcomes
- Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, myalgia, diarrhoea, rash and severe bleeding.
- Course: Death can occur within about 8–9 days from blood loss and multi‑organ failure.
- Case fatality rate: Reported range 24%–88% depending on outbreak and care.
Treatment, surveillance & control
- Treatment: No approved antiviral; supportive care improves survival.
- Medical countermeasures: Vaccines and therapeutics are under development but not yet widely authorised.
- Public‑health actions: Rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing and exposure assessment are central to containment.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Abbreviation: Marburg virus disease (MVD).
- Earlier outbreak: Uganda’s last Marburg outbreak occurred in 2017.
- Legal reporting: Under the International Health Regulations (2005), States Parties notify WHO of events of public‑health concern.