Emerging filoviral disease in Uganda: proposed explanations and research directions

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014 May;90(5):790-793. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0374. Epub 2014 Feb 10.

Abstract

Outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg virus diseases have recently increased in frequency in Uganda. This increase is probably caused by a combination of improved surveillance and laboratory capacity, increased contact between humans and the natural reservoir of the viruses, and fluctuations in viral load and prevalence within this reservoir. The roles of these proposed explanations must be investigated in order to guide appropriate responses to the changing epidemiological profile. Other African settings in which multiple filoviral outbreaks have occurred could also benefit from such information.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chiroptera / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Ebolavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / epidemiology*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / transmission
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Marburg Virus Disease / epidemiology*
  • Marburg Virus Disease / transmission
  • Marburg Virus Disease / virology
  • Marburgvirus / isolation & purification*
  • Prevalence
  • Uganda / epidemiology
  • Viral Load