WHO confirms Ebola-type outbreak in Uganda

Marburg haemorrhagic fever (MHF) has been confirmed in a 29-year-old man in Uganda. The man became symptomatic on 4 July 2007, was admitted to hospital on 7 July and died on 14 July. The disease was confirmed by laboratory diagnosis on 30 July.

The man had had prolonged close contact with a 21-year-old co-worker with a similar illness to whom he had been providing care. The 21-year-old had developed symptoms on 27 June and was hospitalized with a haemorrhagic illness. He then recovered and was discharged on 9 July. Both men were working in a mine in western Uganda.

Symptoms of the two diseases are very similar. Both begin with the sort of muscle pain, fever, headaches, and nausea that you might see in response to any viral infection. About five days later, a rash appears on the chest and back, and the victim's face may appear vacant and expressionless, as the virus begins to affect the brain. Both Marburg and Ebola are hemorrhagic fevers, which means they cause bleeding from multiple organs within the body. In the grisly later stages of the illness, the victim may start to ooze blood from orifices or the sites of injections.