2021 Marburg virus disease outbreak in Guinea

Marburg virus disease is a highly virulent, epidemic-prone disease, associated with a high case-fatality ratio of 24-90%. In the early phase of the disease, it is hard to distinguish the disease from other diseases. There are no specific treatments or vaccine against the Marburg virus, though supportive care increases the likelihood of survival.[2] 14 outbreaks of the disease have been reported since 1967, when it was first detected, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.[3]

The disease's usual reservoir species is Egyptian Rousette bats.[4] Among humans, it is transmitted via direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual.[5]

Guéckédou, the site of the outbreak, had recently had an Ebola outbreak, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The index case, a 40-year-old farmer, got his first symptoms on July 25.[6] The patient died on August 2. On August 3, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was conducted, returning a positive result for the Marburg virus on August 5. The WHO was informed of the first case the next day. On August 9, the Institut Pasteur Dakar in Senegal provided reconfirmation that the result was positive for the Marburg virus.

Guinea health authorities conducted contact tracing and monitored 170 known high-risk contacts of the index case. No new cases were detected for twice the length of the incubation period of the virus, in this case 42 day, so the outbreak was declared over around six weeks after it started.[2][1]

WHO's Africa director Matshidiso Moeti, among others, praised Guinea's rapid and effective response to the outbreak.[7]