Special Pathogens of Concern Situation Report: Marburg Virus Disease August 5, 2022

On the NETEC Special Pathogens of Concern Situation Report for August 5, 2022, Dr. Syra Madad, an infectious disease epidemiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals and faculty at NETEC, shares three things you need to know about Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).

1. Marburg virus disease, or MVD, is a rare, but severe hemorrhagic disease caused by Marburg virus, a filovirus, which belongs the same family as Ebola. Marburg is a zoonotic disease, primarily transmitted from African fruit bats to humans. It can also spread from person to person when there's direct contact with an infected person's blood or bodily fluid, or from touching contaminated surfaces and objects.

2. On July 17, 2022, Ghana and declared its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease. Three cases have been reported all within the same household. Contact tracing is ongoing.

3. Health care sites in the United States should be vigilant and assess patients who present with signs and symptoms consistent with viral hemorrhagic fever. A patient's exposure history should be taken, including travel to endemic areas, contact with sick persons or animals and other risk factors for viral hemorrhagic fever. Healthcare workers should initiate appropriate precautions as soon as there's suspicion of Marburg.

Learn more about Marburg and #NETEC’s resources for health care workers at netec.org.