Related virus
Marburg virus: Ebola's closest relative
The Marburg virus (MARV) belongs to the same family as Ebola — the Filoviridae — and causes a virtually identical illness: severe fever with bleeding and high mortality. It was discovered in 1967 after a laboratory incident in Marburg (Germany) and Belgrade, where researchers fell ill after contact with Ugandan green monkeys.
Case fatality rate (CFR)
23–88%
Average ~50%. Comparable to Ebola Zaire (70–90% untreated).
Natural reservoir
Egyptian rousette bat
Rousettus aegyptiacus — lives in caves and mines. Humans get infected when entering contaminated caves.
Vaccine
None approved
Candidates (cAd3-Marburg, MVA-BN-Filo) in trials. Experimentally deployed in Rwanda 2024.
Treatment
Supportive
IV fluids, electrolytes, treatment of complications. No specific antiviral.
| Feature | Ebola | Marburg |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Filoviridae | Filoviridae |
| Species | 5 (Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, Taï, Reston) | 1 (Marburg marburgvirus) |
| Discovered | 1976 | 1967 |
| CFR | 25–90% | 23–88% |
| Natural reservoir | Fruit bats | Egyptian rousette bat |
| Vaccine | Ervebo (Zaire), Zabdeno/Mvabea | No approved vaccine |
| Transmission | Direct contact with body fluids | Direct contact with body fluids |
Key Marburg outbreaks
- • 1967 — Marburg/Belgrade: 31 infections via Ugandan monkeys in labs. First identification.
- • 2004–2005 — Angola: 252 cases, 90% mortality — largest outbreak ever.
- • 2007 — Uganda: Miners infected via cave bats.
- • 2023 — Equatorial Guinea & Tanzania: First outbreaks in both countries.
- • 2024 — Rwanda: 66 cases, 15 deaths. First large-scale deployment of experimental vaccine.