Marburg virus: an emerging global threat

Marburg virus disease is a rare, but severe illness caused by highly pathogenic Marburg virus, a member of the Filoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, as well as Belgrade, Serbia. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have been reported in Central and East Africa. The fruit bats of the genus Rousettus are the major reservoir for the virus. The largest recorded outbreak occurred in Angola in 2005, with 374 cases and 329 deaths, resulting in a mortality rate of approximately 88%, underscoring this virus's potential for causing a devastating impact. Historically, the Marburg virus has received less attention compared to the Ebola virus. However, the geographical expansion of this virus in new regions such as Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Tanzania highlights its growing threat. The sporadic outbreaks of this deadly pathogen necessitate continued investment in research, surveillance, and public health preparedness to mitigate the impact of this virus on global health security. This review is intended to provide an overview of our current knowledge of the Marburg virus, which is crucial for the development of Marburg virus countermeasures.