Could the Marburg Virus Start Another Outbreak? What We Know

• Health authorities in the West African nation of Guinea confirmed a case of Marburg virus disease earlier this month.
• This is the first time this virus, which causes a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, has been detected in West Africa.
• The WHO calls the disease “epidemic-prone,” meaning that it can spread easily between people if not prevented.

As the world focuses on battling COVID-19, another dangerous virus was detected in Africa this month, causing concern among health experts.

Health authorities in the West African nation of Guinea confirmed a case of Marburg virus disease on August 9, in the southern Gueckedou prefecture, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This is the first time this virus, which causes a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, has been detected in West Africa.

“We applaud the alertness and the quick investigative action by Guinea’s health workers. The potential for the Marburg virus to spread far and wide means we need to stop it in its tracks,” Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said in a statement. “We are working with the health authorities to implement a swift response that builds on Guinea’s past experience and expertise in managing Ebola, which is transmitted in a similar way.”

According to the WHO, Gueckedou, where this case of Marburg disease was identified, is the same region that experienced cases of the 2021 Ebola outbreak in Guinea, and where the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak was initially detected.