The Marburg virus outbreak in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania is causing widespread concern as it continues to claim lives and spread rapidly. Equatorial Guinea reported the first cases in February 2023, with 14 laboratory-confirmed cases and ten deaths by April 5. Tanzania also announced its outbreak in late March 2023, with eight laboratory-confirmed cases reported, five of which proved fatal. There are concerns about undetected community spread in both countries.
All individuals with Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Tanzania are from the Kagera Region and appear to be epidemiologically linked. The virus is transmitted to humans by fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with infected persons’ body fluids or surfaces and materials.
While there is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for the Marburg virus, patients can still receive supportive care to increase their chances of survival. This may include oral or intravenous rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms. The World Health Organization has warned of the potential for a large-scale epidemic and deployed additional experts to help control the outbreaks in both countries and prevent further spread.
Due to the possibility of a widespread epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has encouraged Equatorial Guinea to report any cases of the Marburg virus to prevent it from spreading to neighboring countries such as Gabon and Cameroon. This call to action is crucial to contain the spread of the virus and prevent a potential outbreak. The WHO has deployed “additional experts” and has been helping Gabon and Cameroon to strengthen preparedness and response to the outbreak.
Marburg outbreaks are rare and highly infectious, with symptoms including fever, headache, and muscle aches progressing to severe bleeding and shock. In March, Tanzania also announced the beginning of a Marburg epidemic with five deaths. Health officials are urging people to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid contact with the virus.
Although the risk of MVD is currently low in the United States, clinicians, public health departments, and clinical laboratories should be aware of the potential for imported cases. To ensure proper patient care and prevent the spread of infection, healthcare providers must systematically assess patients for the possibility of viral hemorrhagic fevers such as MVD or Ebola disease. This assessment is crucial to detect potential cases early and implement appropriate treatment measures to control the spread of the disease.
This involves taking a detailed travel history and conducting a triage and evaluation process. Early identification of MVD or other viral hemorrhagic fevers is essential, and healthcare providers should be vigilant in recognizing potential cases. Public health departments should follow established protocols for patient assessment, and CDC’s Viral Special Pathogens Branch is available 24/7 for consultation on Marburg virus disease or other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Clinical laboratories should follow Standard Precautions and Universal Precautions and have an Exposure Control Plan to minimize employees’ risk of exposure. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be available, and if a facility cannot handle the specimen, it should be forwarded to another facility that can. Efforts must be made to control the outbreaks and prevent further loss of life, so health officials must continue to work on developing a vaccine or antiviral treatment to combat the virus and prevent the further spread of the outbreak.
