According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 17 outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD) have previously been reported globally, the earliest recorded in 1967.
- The most recent previous outbreaks were reported in Equatorial Guinea and the United Republic of Tanzania between February and June 2023.
About Marburg virus
Virus: Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV) of the species Orthomarburgvirus marburgense are the causative agents of Marburg virus disease (MVD). Both viruses are part of the Filoviridae family (filovirus) to which Orthoebolavirus genus belongs.
First outbreak: MVD was initially detected in 1967 after two simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia. These outbreaks were associated with laboratory work using African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) imported from Uganda.
Bleeding eye: The Marburg virus is also known as the ‘bleeding eye’ virus, because of its most prominent symptom – bleeding in the eyes. It can also cause organ failure and death.
Natural host: Rousettus aegyptiacus, a fruit bat of the Pteropodidae family, is considered the natural host of Marburg virus.
Transmission: The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission. Human to human transmission is known to happen via bodily fluids. It is considered to be highly contagious as it can be spread directly through the touching of body fluids or indirectly by fomites (surfaces exposed to body fluids).
Incubation period: The incubation period ranges between 2 and 21 days.
Symptoms: High fever, malaise and severe body ache followed by watery diahorrea and abdominal cramps. Usually after the fifth day, the bleeding begins in the eye, then in the nose, gums and vagina. The virus can affect all parts of the body and can result in multiorgan failure.
Confirmation: Marburg virus is confirmed either by ELISA or by RT-PCR tests.
Fatality rate: The average MVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks.
No vaccines: There are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for MVD, but a range of vaccines and drug therapies are under development.
