KAMPALA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's ministry of health on Tuesday said two health workers in the eastern part of the country have developed signs of the deadly Marburg fever.
Jane Aceng, minister of health, told reporters that the health workers interacted with the index case which died on Oct. 11 at Kapchorwa hospital.
"Blood samples have been taken off and sent to Uganda Virus Research Institute for testing," said Aceng, noting that in the interim, the health workers have been isolated and are being monitored.
The number of cumulative cases currently stands at two - with one confirmed and one probable case, according to the ministry.
The minister said a total of 155 people who got into contact with the index case are being monitored.
The last Marburg outbreak in Uganda was reported in central and western parts of the east African country in 2014.
Marburg is a severe and highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the same family as the one that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever, according to the World Health Organization.
According to the global health body, the illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly, with severe headache and malaise.
