On February 13, 2023, government officials in Equatorial Guinea declared an outbreak of Marburg disease. Ministry of Health staff initially reported one confirmed case and additional suspect cases in Kie-Ntem Province, in the northeast corner of the country. The WHO says initial infection in humans occurs through lengthy exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies. The average fatality rate of the disease is approximately 50 per cent – much greater than the last virus to threaten us.
After an incubation period of 2-21 days, symptom onset is sudden and marked by fever, chills, headache, and myalgia. Around the fifth day after the onset of symptoms, a maculopapular rash, most prominent on the trunk (chest, back, stomach), may occur. Nausea, vomiting, chest pain, a sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may appear. Symptoms become increasingly severe and can include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.
CDC is providing assistance as requested and has sent an initial team of four scientists with expertise in epidemiology and Marburg disease to support local health officials in outbreak response activities, including case investigation and contact tracing. An additional three-person team of laboratory experts is expected to head to the country in the coming days.
As of March 9, 2023, there are other countries in Africa, and Spain reporting Marburg disease cases.
Marburg virus disease is a health risk for humans. Protective vaccines are in clinical development, but none are FDA approved in March 2023.
According to this update the WHO is working on fast tracking a vaccine. What could possibly go wrong?
The WHO preps us for the next Marburg Outbreak tomorrow, March 10, 2023 at 14:00 CET.https://t.co/JtzJ8KR3kX
— Brook Jackson 💜 (@IamBrookJackson) March 9, 2023
Zoom Link: https://t.co/B4dcmafQ2q
CDC Info:https://t.co/BbsTWwfiDi pic.twitter.com/1l7seLX81A