Marburg Virus Disease

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed Ethiopia’s first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease. 

About Marburg virus disease

• Overview: MVD is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV) of Orthomarburgvirus marburgense.
  • It is a part of the Filoviridae family; clinically similar to Ebola.
• Case fatality: It ranges from 24% to 88% depending on outbreak and healthcare quality.
• Origin: First identified in 1967 in Germany and Serbia; outbreaks later seen in Africa (Uganda, Angola, DRC, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, etc.).
  • African green monkeys caused the 1967 laboratory-linked outbreak.
• Transmission:
  • Animal-to-human: Prolonged exposure to caves or mines inhabited by Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats (natural hosts).
  • Human-to-human: Direct contact with blood/body fluids, contaminated surfaces, bedding, needles.
  • High-risk groups: Healthcare workers, caregivers, and participants in unsafe burial practices.
  • People are not infectious before symptoms appear
• Symptoms
  • The incubation period varies from 2 to 21 days.
  • Early symptoms: MVD begins abruptly with high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, fatigue.
  • Severe phase: Bleeding, typically developing within a week of onset.
  • Severe cases lead to shock and death between 8–9 days after symptom onset.
• Diagnosis:
  • It is difficult to distinguish from malaria, typhoid, meningitis, and other viral haemorrhagic fevers.
  • Confirmed using ELISA, antigen detection, RT-PCR, and virus isolation in high-containment labs.
  • Samples collected are extreme biohazards requiring maximum containment and triple-layer packaging.
• Treatment & Vaccines
  • Only supportive care available: rehydration, electrolyte balance, and symptomatic treatment.
  • There are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for MVD.
  • Several mAbs, antivirals, and vaccine candidates are under development and trial-ready.
• Prevention & Control:
  • Community engagement is essential for outbreak control.
  • Core strategies: Case management, surveillance, lab support, contact tracing, infection prevention, safe burials, and social mobilization.
  • Risk reduction: Avoiding prolonged exposure to bat-inhabited caves/mines; and using protective clothing.

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