Marburg virus: What you need to know about the Ebola-like disease spreading in Rwanda

Eight people have died from an outbreak of the Marburg virus in Rwanda, with 26 confirmed cases, according to the country's health ministry. This marks the first time the deadly virus, which belongs to the same family as Ebola, has been detected in the nation.

Marburg virus is highly fatal, with a mortality rate of around 50%, though it has reached up to 90% in some outbreaks. The virus has claimed the lives of several healthcare workers in Rwanda, most of them in the capital, Kigali. "Most of the deaths so far have been among health care workers," said health minister Sabin Nsanzimana.

The virus causes symptoms similar to Ebola, including fever, fatigue, diarrhoea, and vomiting. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. There is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg virus, making it a critical public health threat.

Last year, outbreaks in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea resulted in around 40 deaths, while a 2022 outbreak in Ghana killed two family members.

What is Marburg virus?

Marburg virus disease, previously known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal illness in humans. It was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, where laboratory workers were infected by African green monkeys imported from Uganda.

The virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats, its natural host, and then spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials. Initial symptoms include high fever, headache, and muscle pain, with diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and vomiting following soon after. In severe cases, patients experience haemorrhaging, or bleeding, from multiple parts of the body.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fatal cases usually occur eight to nine days after symptoms appear, often involving severe bleeding from the nose, gums, or other areas.

How deadly is Marburg virus?

With a case fatality rate averaging around 50%, the Marburg virus is considered extremely dangerous. Past outbreaks have seen fatality rates vary from 23% to 90%, depending on the virus strain and available medical care. Since its discovery in the late 1960s, there have been several major outbreaks in southern and eastern Africa, with cases reported in countries including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Uganda.

What’s being done to combat Marburg virus?

Despite the lack of specific treatments, research and development are underway for therapies and vaccines. The WHO lists Marburg among pathogens that could potentially cause the next pandemic, making it a top priority for vaccine development. In 2023, the WHO brought together experts to assess promising vaccine candidates, and this summer, the University of Oxford launched the first human trials for a Marburg vaccine.