Marburg Virus
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Posted by Judy Arbique Sep 9, 2007 |
Although bats have been suspected of carrying Marburg virus, its presence had not been documented. The finding may finally resolve bats as the natural reservoir for Marburg virus.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their collaborators have identified Marburg virus in a common species of African fruit bat (R. aegyptiacus). The finding resulted during a Marburg investigation in Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Marburg infection is also currently being investigated among miners in a lead and gold mine in Uganda. At least two bat species dwell in the mine, one of which is the African fruit bat.
Marburg virus belongs to the same family as Ebola virus. Like Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Marburg causes a severe hemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates. There is no treatment or vaccine.
CDC Scientists Identify Presence of Marburg Virus in African Fruit Bats
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