55 people have been listed in Kapchorwa and Kween district for follow up despite no new cases of Marburg being reported. “Our teams have line-listed up to 55 contacts for follow up. Thirteen of these have completed the 21-day follow up from the time of the death of the probable case. While the other 42 remain under close monitoring.” The Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng said she estimates that between 2 – 5 billion shillings would be needed to contain the outbreak. “And depending on the magnitude of the outbreak, it may range from 2 billion to 5 billion and even more depending on the number of cases that we see.”

However, the Minister said they would not worry anyone because they had partners they were working with. “And all our partners have budgets for this particular item. And that’s why we have what we call a National Taskforce. That Taskforce oversees the activities of the outbreaks that are ongoing.” Said Aceng. So far health workers in areas where Marburg had been confirmed, the impassable roads had made access to communities by health workers very hard. “There is a lot of difficulties moving on the roads and accessing the populations. This is actually hampering the work of the surveillance officers and the other teams on the ground.” Said Aceng.

According to the Minister, two isolated wards were set up as well as screening centers at Entebbe Airport. “Two isolation wards have been set up at Kapchorwa district hospital and Kaproron Health Center IV in Kween district.” A previous Marburg outbreak in 2014 was successfully contained within days.