Previously known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but serious viral hemorrhagic fever with sporadic outbreaks occurring in South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Angola. However, the virus is now spreading to new locations. According to an article in The Grio, Equatorial Guinea is experiencing its first ever Marburg virus disease outbreak.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that at least nine individuals in Equatorial Guinea have died after contracting MVD. An additional sixteen people are suspected of having the viral illness. The WHO is planning on sending assistance to Equatorial Guinea. This is both to provide protective equipment to workers who are at risk of exposure, as well as finding a way to slow or prevent disease spread.

Information on Marburg Virus Disease

Marburg virus was first identified in 1967 after two simultaneous outbreaks occurred: one in Belgrade, Serbia and the other in Marburg, Germany. Researchers had been performing research on African green monkeys (and their tissue) at the time. Since then, as shared at the start of this article, there have been several sporadic outbreaks, most often in sub-Saharan Africa.

African fruit bats host the virus. MVD may be transmitted through:

• Exposure to infected bat feces or aerosols
• Blood or bodily fluids of an infected individual
• Sexual contact (MVD may be spread through semen, but is not believed to spread through vaginal fluid)
• Items contaminated by an infected individual

MVD may infect humans or non-human primates. The CDC shares that symptoms of Marburg virus disease typically manifest between 2-21 days following infection. Symptoms can include:

• Fever and chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Maculopapular rash that most often appears on the chest, back, and stomach
• Chest, throat, and abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes)
• Pancreatic inflammation
• Liver failure
• Severe weight loss
• Delirium and shock
• Massive hemorrhaging

Marburg virus disease is fatal in anywhere from 24-90% of cases. The average seems to be around 50%. Currently, there are no exact treatments for this illness. Treatment is supportive and focuses on fluid and electrolyte balancing, replacing lost blood, and oxygen support.