Marburg Virus Disease in Primates – NAVLE Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal viral hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and nonhuman primates. Caused by Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV), both members of the family Filoviridae, this disease is a significant zoonotic threat with case fatality rates ranging from 24% to 90%. Marburg virus was first identified in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, Yugoslavia, following exposure to infected African green monkeys imported from Uganda for polio vaccine production.

For veterinarians, understanding MVD is critical for biosafety when working with imported primates, recognizing clinical presentations in zoological collections, and preventing zoonotic transmission. This disease is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent and requires BSL-4 containment.

Etiology and Viral Classification

Virus Characteristics

Family: Filoviridae