The Journey of the Marburg Virus Outbreak, a Disease with a High Mortality Rate

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Marburg virus disease (MVD) cases have occurred in Kie-Ntem, Equatorial Guinea. An estimated 16 cases have been reported, with 9 deaths.

The WHO statement is based on analyzed blood samples. Of 8 samples, 1 tested positive for Marburg via RT-PCR.

The WHO also stated that one suspected case, exhibiting fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and seizures, died on Friday, February 10, 2023. This case is linked to four other deaths in a village in Equatorial Guinea.

MVD, previously known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is described by the WHO as a severe and often fatal disease in humans.

The case fatality rate varies from 24% to 88%, even reaching 100%, depending on the virus strain and case management. There is currently no cure or vaccine for this disease.

"Supportive care—with oral or intravenous fluids—and specific treatment improve survival. Several potential treatments are being evaluated, including blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies," wrote the WHO in its report on February 25, 2023.

*Rousettus aegyptiacus*, a fruit bat from the *Pteropodidae* family, is considered the natural host of the Marburg virus. The virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans, and human-to-human transmission is possible.

According to WHO records, this virus has been present since 1967. As its name suggests (Marburg), it was first detected in Germany, with 29 cases and 7 deaths, a fatality rate of 24%.

In the same year, two people in Yugoslavia contracted the virus; neither died.

The largest and most fatal outbreak occurred in Angola in 2005, with 374 cases and 329 deaths, a fatality rate of 88%.

Uganda has experienced the most outbreaks, with a total of 4 outbreaks across 4 different years, resulting in 10 deaths.

(See also: [Mortality Rate of Five Global Outbreaks](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2020/03/19/tingkat-kematian-lima-wabah-dunia))

Indonesian Ministry of Health's Appeal

The Indonesian Ministry of Health confirms that there are currently no reported cases or suspected cases of Marburg virus disease in Indonesia. However, the government urges the public to remain vigilant.

According to the official website of the Ministry of Health, Indonesia conducted a rapid risk assessment of the Marburg virus on February 20, 2023. The results indicated a low probability of imported Marburg virus cases in Indonesia.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Mohammad Syahril, reminded the government and the public not to become complacent about the virus.

“We need to maintain early vigilance and anticipate the Marburg virus disease,” said Syahril in an official statement on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

The Indonesian government has issued a circular regarding vigilance against the Marburg virus. Regional governments, healthcare facilities, port health offices, healthcare workers, and relevant stakeholders are urged to be vigilant against the Marburg virus.

(See also: [Diarrhea Among the Leading Causes of Death Worldwide](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2017/01/04/diare-masuk-daftar-penyebab-kematian-terbesar-dunia))

The following is a record of Marburg virus cases and deaths from the WHO:

* Germany (1967)
Cases: 29
Deaths: 7
* Yugoslavia (1967)
Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
* South Africa (1975)
Cases: 3
Deaths: 1
* Kenya (1980)
Cases: 2
Deaths: 1
* Kenya (1987)
Cases: 1
Deaths: 1
* Congo (1998-2000)
Cases: 154
Deaths: 128
* Angola (2005)
Cases: 374
Deaths: 329
* Uganda (2007)
Cases: 4
Deaths: 2
* USA (2008)
Cases: 1
Deaths: 0
* Netherlands (2008)
Cases: 1
Deaths: 0
* Uganda (2012)
Cases: 15
Deaths: 4
* Uganda (2014)
Cases: 1
Deaths: 1
* Uganda (2017)
Cases: 3
Deaths: 3
* Equatorial Guinea (2023)
Cases: 16
Deaths: 9

(See also: [Top 10 Deadliest Global Diseases](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2020/02/18/10-penyakit-global-paling-mematikan))