Ugandan health officials said Tuesday that all suspected cases of the Ebola-like Marburg virus had tested negative and those held in isolation released.

« At the moment there are no new cases reported or suspected, » senior health ministry official Issa Makumbi told AFP.

Five people placed in isolation in the east African nation earlier this month had all been cleared and released, he added.

The Marburg virus is one of the most deadly known pathogens. Like Ebola, it causes severe bleeding, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea and has a 21-day incubation period.

Uganda has passed more than 21 days since the last confirmed infection: that of the hospital worker who died.

But it is yet to pass the 42 day period needed until the complete all clear is given.

« We have to remain vigilant until we have been declared free of Marburg, » Makumbi added.

Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is also transmitted via contact with bodily fluids andfatality rates range from 25 to 80 percent.

The Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 4,500 lives in West Africa since the beginning of the year.

A Marburg outbreak in Uganda in October 2012 killed 10 people.

Source : http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-10-uganda-fresh-cases-ebola-like-marburg.html