Marburg Virus

The Marburg virus belongs to the family Filoviridae and is closely related to the Ebola virus. It causes severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates, with sporadic outbreaks reported in Africa. Named after the German city where the first known outbreak occurred in 1967, the Marburg virus is transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. Human-to-human transmission can occur through close contact with the blood, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals. The virus's incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, with symptoms including fever, severe headache, malaise, and, in later stages, hemorrhagic manifestations. There is no specific antiviral treatment for Marburg virus disease, and supportive care is the mainstay of management. Efforts to control Marburg virus outbreaks involve isolation of infected individuals, contact tracing, and strict infection prevention measures. Research continues to enhance our understanding of the virus, develop potential vaccines and antiviral therapies, and improve public health responses to minimize the impact of Marburg virus disease.