More Lethal than Ebola: Germany on High Alert over Marburg Virus Scare

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More Lethal than Ebola: Germany on High Alert over Marburg Virus Scare

More Lethal than Ebola: Germany on High Alert over Marburg Virus Scare

On October 2, German health authorities reported a possible Marburg virus outbreak involving a couple at Hamburg’s train station.

The male patient, a medical student, had recently visited a hospital in Rwanda treating Marburg cases.

The couple had traveled by train from Frankfurt to Hamburg, triggering immediate action.

In response to the potential health threat, Germany issued an emergency alert, temporarily closing the Hamburg station for several hours, with over 200 passengers on the same train held at the platform.

Fortunately, the situation was defused when Hamburg health officials confirmed that both individuals tested negative for the Marburg virus after returning from Rwanda.

More Lethal than Ebola: Germany on High Alert over Marburg Virus Scare

screenshot from science.org

What Makes the Marburg Virus So Dangerous?

Marburg virus is among the deadliest pathogens in the world, belonging to the filovirus family alongside the Ebola virus. Both viruses cause severe hemorrhagic fever, leading to internal bleeding and multi-organ failure. In some respects, Marburg virus can be even more lethal than Ebola. During outbreaks in Angola (2005) and Uganda (2012), mortality rates reached as high as 90%.

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated Marburg as a priority pathogen in 2015 due to its high pandemic potential, underscoring the importance of strict containment measures. Research on the virus is conducted only in Biosafety Level 4 laboratories—the highest level of containment.

Transmission and Infection

Humans are typically infected through direct contact with animals or individuals carrying the virus. It can spread through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, respiratory secretions, and semen. Marburg virus was initially identified in African green monkeys, earning it the nickname “Green Monkey Virus.” While fruit bats and non-human primates in Africa are believed to be the main sources of infection, the virus’s natural reservoir remains unidentified, complicating prevention efforts.

A European Discovery of an African Virus

Interestingly, the Marburg virus was first identified not in Africa but in Europe. In 1967, a German laboratory in Marburg imported African green monkeys from Uganda for vaccine research. The monkeys, later sold to Yugoslavia, spread the virus to researchers in Marburg, Frankfurt, and Belgrade. A total of 32 people were infected during this outbreak, resulting in seven deaths—a fatality rate of 21.9%. This marked the first known human cases of Marburg virus, which was named after the German town.

Symptoms and Risks

After an incubation period of 3 to 9 days, infected individuals may develop fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. As the disease progresses, patients often experience bleeding under the skin, rashes, and hemorrhages in the digestive and reproductive tracts. In severe cases, the virus disrupts the body’s clotting system, causing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which can lead to death.

The mortality rate of Marburg virus infection varies widely. In African outbreaks, fatality rates often exceed 83%, attributed to delayed diagnosis and limited medical resources. In Europe, with advanced medical care, the mortality rate is generally lower—around 20%.

Ongoing Outbreak in Africa

While Germany managed to avoid a crisis this time, the Marburg virus remains a serious threat in Africa. On September 28, Rwanda’s health ministry reported an outbreak, with 20 confirmed cases and at least six deaths. Efforts to contain the spread are ongoing, underscoring the continued challenge posed by this lethal virus.