The Marburg virus belongs to the Filoviridae family, the same one to which belongs the causative agent that causes Ebola. Numerous strains have been identified, presumably with varying degrees of lethality.
Marburg infection is widespread in many areas of central Africa (especially in Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe); in general, small sporadic epidemic outbreaks occur , causing less than 50 cases.
The infection, from person to person, occurs following direct contact with blood, respiratory secretions and biological fluids (saliva, vomit, faeces, urine, mucus and seminal fluid) of infected people. The risk is higher during late stages of the disease, ie when the patient experiences vomiting, diarrhea or bleeding. The transmission was documented through sexual intercourse even seven weeks after clinical recovery (in the semen the Marburg virus remains vital for this period).
Indirect transmission with newly contaminated surfaces and materials is always possible. Furthermore, in hospital environments, infections can also be contracted through accidental bites with infected syringes and needles.
