Marburg virus disease: a comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe hemorrhagic fever caused by Marburg virus (MARV) or Ravn virus (RAVV), with fatality rates ranging from 24% to 90%.
• Zoonotic transmission from fruit bats is the primary source, with human-to-human spread occurring via direct contact with bodily fluids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide clinicians with updated information on Marburg virus disease (MVD).
• To focus on epidemiological trends, diagnostic methods, clinical management, and advancements in medical countermeasures for MVD.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes current knowledge on MVD.
• It focuses on recent epidemiological data, diagnostic approaches, and clinical care strategies.
• It also highlights progress in the development of vaccines and antiviral treatments.

Main Results:

• MVD outbreaks, historically in Central/East Africa, have recently expanded to new regions including Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.
• These incidents indicate a rise in annual MVD outbreaks, highlighting risks of zoonotic spillover and human transmission.
• No approved vaccines or treatments currently exist; care is supportive, but promising monoclonal antibodies, antiviral drugs, and experimental vaccines are in trials.

Conclusions:

• The expanding geographic distribution and increasing frequency of Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreaks necessitate enhanced surveillance and preparedness.
• While supportive care remains the cornerstone of MVD management, ongoing research into novel vaccines and therapeutics offers future hope for effective interventions.
• Clinicians require up-to-date knowledge on MVD epidemiology, diagnosis, and management to effectively combat this deadly disease.