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University of Nebraska Medical Center

Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)

What is Marburg Virus Disease (MVD)? 

According to the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), "Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but severe disease caused by infection with Marburg virus. Marburg is in the same viral family (filovirus) as Ebola, and the two diseases are clinically similar." 

On February 13, 2023, government officials in Equatorial Guinea declared a Marburg outbreak. As of April 5, a total of 14 lab-confirmed cases of MVD have been identified in Equatorial Guinea, with 10 of those fatal, according to the CDC. On March 21, 2023, Tanzania government officials declared the country’s first ever outbreak of Marburg. The cases have been reported in the country’s northwest Kagera region. Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever which affects both people and non-human primates. MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, a genetically unique zoonotic (or, animal-borne) RNA virus of the filovirus family. 

There is currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine or treatment for MVD. In the absence of early diagnosis and appropriate supportive care, MVD has a high mortality rate of 23%–90%.With early intensive supportive care and fluid replacement, mortality rates may be lower.

Update: Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania delcared the end of the Marburg outbreak in May and June 2023, respectively.