BioScience Trends. 2022;16(4):312-316. (DOI: 10.5582/bst.2022.01333)

Marburg virus disease: A deadly rare virus is coming

Zhao F, He Y, Lu HZ


SUMMARY

Two cases of the deadly Marburgvirus were reported in Ghana, which might be a new global virus alert following COVID-19 and novel monkeypox. Thus far, there is no vaccine or treatment for Marburg virus disease, which is a disease with a mortality rate as high as that of Ebola. Although now human infections with Marburgvirus occurred mainly in Africa, outbreaks were twice reported in Europe over the past 55 years. A concern is that globalization might promote its global viral transmission, just like what happened with COVID-19. The current study has briefly summarized the etiology, epidemiology, and clinical symptoms of the Marburgvirus as well as vaccine development and experimental treatments in order to prevent and control this virus.


KEYWORDS: Marburgvirus (MARV), Marburg virus disease (MVD), emerging infectious disease, public health

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