Marburg Outbreak Alert Issued for Equatorial Guinea

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced Equatorial Guinea declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) after confirming cases in the Kie Ntem Province.

In response, Equatorial Guinea declared an outbreak of MVD on February 13, 2023.

The CDC stated on February 16, 2023, that MVD is a rare and deadly disease that has sometimes caused outbreaks in several African countries.

Travelers to MVD endemic areas should separate themselves from others and seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days).

And, call ahead before going to a healthcare facility and tell your doctor that you've been to an area reporting MVD cases, says the CDC.

Initially detected in 1967 in Germany, MVD is spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of a person infected with the Marburg virus. 

As of February 17, 2023, Angola, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Germany, Ghana,  Guinea,  Kenya,  Serbia, South Africa, and Uganda have previously confirmed MVD cases.

While there are no U.S. FDA-approved Marburg preventive vaccines, several candidates are conducting clinical studies.

NPR reported today Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor at the Milken School of Public Health at George Washington University, says there's one more urgent reason a vaccine must be prioritized.

"Healthcare workers are at particular risk, and in Equatorial Guinea and surrounding countries, illness and death of the relatively few doctors and nurses they have would have a tremendous lasting impact on health in their region."