What to know about the Marburg virus

Marburg, a close relative of the more well-known Ebola virus, is a highly infectious disease affecting humans and non-human primates


MARBURG VIRUS ORIGINS

First outbreak occurred in 1967 in Germany, where seven people died following import of infected monkeys from Uganda
 
Subsequent outbreaks reported mostly in sub-Saharan Africa
 
Natural host of virus is African fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus
                                           

Ghana (2022) 
Uganda

Angola
More than 300 people died in 2005 outbreak

Marburg outbreaks in Africa


HUMAN INFECTION

Initially from prolonged exposure to caves inhabited by bat colonies
  
Spreads among humans via direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people and with contaminated surfaces and materials


Microscopic image of virus particles
                                               
                   
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Initial onset: Illness begins abruptly after incubation period of 2-21 days. Common symptoms include high fever, severe headache and muscle aches and pains
 
Further symptoms: Include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, sore throat and non-itchy rash. Patients may develop severe bleeding within seven days
  
Fatality rates: Vary from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks depending on virus strain and case management
    
Treatments/vaccines: None currently available. Supportive care and treatment of specific symptoms improves survival
  

Sources: BBC, CDC, Reuters, WHO 
Picture: Wikimedia Commons 
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