#Marlburg Virus: 2 More People Admitted to Newly Relocated Treatment Center

Two people with signs of Marburg virus were admitted to a newly-relocated treatment centre for the disease yesterday.

The patients were taken to Rushoroza Health Centre III, two kilometres away on Kabale-Katuna road, to reduce congestion at Kabale Referral Hospital.

The district health officer, Dr Patrick Tusiime, at the weekend said the epidemic experts decided to relocate the emergency centre because the virus can easily be transmitted to other patients. 

“The emergency ward is situated in the middle of the hospital and there is a scare of possible spread of the virus in this congested area,” Dr Tusiime said. Five people have so far died of Marburg virus in Kabale, creating fear among several residents in Kitumba Sub-county where the victims originate. 

Five experts from the Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation and UPDF are handling the virus outbreak in the district under the coordination of Dr Joseph Wamala.

The team has organised drills for some health staff at Kabale hospital on how to handle the virus cases and protecting themselves against infection. Meanwhile, three people who died of Marburg virus have been buried in their respective villages under the strict supervision of the epidemic experts. 

Barred from burial
Dr Tusiime said the relatives of the deceased were not allowed to attend the burial because they lacked protective gear. Nathan Biryamurabaho was buried at Hamuganda Village in Kitumba Sub-county on Saturday at 6:30pm. Boaz Turyahikayo, 28 and his sister Medrid Asasira, 26 were buried yesterday at Rwabirondo Village in Ndorwa West.

The other two victims were buried earlier by their relatives. Samples were taken from their bodies and tested positive for Marburg. Biryamubaho’s body was found at his home village in Hamuganda because his relatives sneaked it out of the isolation centre at Kabale hospital after health workers abandoned them.

Dr Tusiime warned the deceased’s relatives against travelling outside their village to avoid transmiting the virus in case they are infected. “The relatives who got in contact with the bodies of the deceased must not attend crowded places like churches, schools and markets until 21 days of surveillance are over. We are working with the epidemic experts to trace other health workers who handled the deceased so that they are closely monitored,” Dr Tusiime said.

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati said he was working with the Ministry of Health and district officials to ensure that they prevent further deaths, especially among those that taking care for the deceased.