Marburg Virus (Why All The Fuss?)

The Marburg Virus is one of the most dangerous viral pathogens that cause disease in humans. The recent outbreak in Ghana reminds us that these exotic infections are very much alive and well and are looming a stone’s throw away from us, ready and waiting for the prime opportunity to pounce onto the world scene. The Marburg virus is from the same family of hemorrhagic viruses as the Ebola virus, with the important exception that we still do not have treatments or vaccines specifically approved for its treatment. Monkeypox came as a surprise to the world, as did COVID-19, but these infections pale in comparison to the deadly Marburg virus, with a mortality rate of close to 90% under some circumstances. The WHO responded with vigor when the outbreak of Marburg virus was reported in Ghana, and with good reason. Were this virus to get out-of-hand, we can expect a pandemic equaling the Black Plague, in terms of the terror it would cause, and without vaccines or effective treatment we would have no recourse. Marburg Virus is serious. Fortunately, so far, the outbreaks have been mild, with maximum a few hundred victims at the most, and the few “extra-endemic” infections we have seen were associated with little or no secondary infections. We can only hope that there are no major changes in the future and that those who are responsible for the safety of the populace are taking the steps they need to control the spread of this deadly virus. We should not dismiss the Marburg virus. It is too important to be swept under the rug.