Marburg Virus Disease

Marburg virus disease is a rare but severe viral illness closely related to Ebola, causing high fever and, in many cases, bleeding complications. It has a high fatality rate and requires the same urgent isolation and outbreak response measures as Ebola.

• Sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, and malaise
• Muscle pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, often severe
• Bleeding manifestations in more advanced disease
• Rapid progression to severe illness is common

• Caused by Marburg virus, associated with certain bat species as a natural reservoir, with human outbreaks often linked to exposure to bat-inhabited caves or mines.
• Spreads between people through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated materials of an infected person.
• Healthcare workers are at particular risk without proper protective measures.

• Suspected based on fever and characteristic symptoms together with a relevant exposure history, such as contact with a confirmed case or exposure to caves or mines with bat populations in an affected area.
• Confirmed through specialised laboratory testing performed under strict biosafety precautions at designated reference laboratories.

Marburg virus disease is a medical emergency requiring immediate isolation and treatment at a specialised facility.

Supportive care — careful fluid and electrolyte management and treatment of complications — is the mainstay of treatment and significantly improves the chance of survival.

Strict infection prevention and control measures are essential to prevent further transmission, particularly in healthcare settings.

All suspected cases must be reported immediately to health authorities given the outbreak potential and severity of this disease.

• Avoid contact with bats and bat-inhabited environments, such as certain caves or mines, in affected areas.
• Avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone suspected or confirmed to have Marburg virus disease.
• Seek immediate medical attention and report to health authorities after any high-risk exposure or onset of fever in a relevant context.
• Support outbreak response measures, including contact tracing and safe burial practices.