Marburg Virus Disease

Marburg virus disease (MVD) (formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever) was first identified in 1967 during epidemics in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany and Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia from importation of infected monkeys from Uganda.

MVD is caused by a virus from the same family as the one that causes Ebola virus disease. Although MVD is rare, it is severe and a fatal disease.

The reservoir host of MVD is the African fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus. This Rousettus bat is typically found in caves and is widely distributed across Africa.

MVD typically appears in sporadic outbreaks throughout Africa; laboratory confirmed cases have been reported in Uganda, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Angola, and South Africa.

Cases of MVD have occurred outside Africa, such as during the 1967 outbreak, but are not common. In 2008, a Dutch tourist developed MVD after returning to the Netherlands from Uganda, and subsequently died. 

In 2008, an American developed MVD after returning to the US from Uganda and recovered.

It is unknown how Marburg virus disease (MVD) first transmits from its animal host to humans. However, in the 2 cases in tourists visiting Uganda in 2008, the most likely routes of infection were due to unprotected contact with infected bat feces or aerosols.

Transmission of the virus can also happen by handling ill or dead infected wild monkeys and/or fruit bats.

After the transmission from animal host to humans, the Marburg virus disease (MVD) is transmitted through person-to-person direct contact with blood, body fluids and tissues of infected persons as well as contact with equipment and other objects contaminated with infectious blood or tissues.

Who is at Risk?

People who have close contact with African fruit bats, humans patients, or non-human primates infected with Marburg virus disease (MVD) are at risk.

Family members and hospital staff who care for patients infected with MVD and have not used proper barrier techniques, are at the highest risk for becoming infected with MVD.

Veterinarians and laboratory or quarantine facility workers who handle non-human primates from Africa may also be at increased risk of exposure to MVD.

Travelers who visit endemic regions in Africa, including Uganda and other parts of central Africa, and have contact with fruit bats, or enter areas inhabited by fruit bats, may be at an increased risk.

Seek medical care immediately, and call ahead, if you develop fever, severe headache, muscle pain, or bleeding within 21 days of travel to an area with a Marburg outbreak or contact with an infected person.