Marburg marburgvirus

Marburg virus is a genus of viruses in the family Filoviridae, known for causing severe disease in humans and other primates. The primary species, Marburg marburgvirus, is responsible for Marburg virus disease (MVD), a zoonotic illness characterized by high fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and hemorrhage. Case fatality rates for MVD can be as high as 80-90%.1

The virus was first identified in 1967 following outbreaks in Germany and Yugoslavia among laboratory workers who had been handling kidney cell cultures from African monkeys imported from Uganda. The virus was named after Marburg, Germany, where most cases occurred. Marburgviruses are filamentous and enter the body through skin lesions or mucosal membranes, primarily infecting the liver, lymph nodes, and spleen before spreading. The virus targets immune cells, suppressing immune responses and leading to uncontrolled replication. The pathology is similar to Ebola virus disease, caused by closely related filoviruses. Egyptian fruit bats are suspected as a reservoir for the virus.1