Why in the News?

Rwanda, facing its first Marburg virus outbreak with 36 cases and 11 deaths, is collaborating with the U.S. and international partners on clinical trials for potential treatments. The Sabin Vaccine Institute sent 700 vaccine doses for a trial involving frontline workers. Marburg, a deadly virus with up to an 88% fatality rate, was detected in late September.

Marburg Virus

• A deadly pathogen that causes Marburg virus disease (MVD), a type of viral hemorrhagic fever.
• First Reported: In 1967, lab outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt (Germany) and Belgrade (Serbia) traced back to vervet monkeys from Uganda.
• Notable Outbreaks: Occurred in Angola (2005), Guinea (2021), Ghana (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2023), DRC (1998-2000), Uganda (multiple times), Tanzania (2023), Kenya (1980, 1987), South Africa (1975).
• Rousette bats, found in caves and mines, transmit the virus to humans.
• Human Transmission: Occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, urine).
• The virus is not stable outside the body, and airborne transmission is rare.