Definition & Meaning of "marburg disease"

What is "marburg disease"?

Marburg disease is a rare but serious illness affecting humans and non-human primates such as monkeys and apes. It is caused by the Marburg virus, which belongs to the same family as the Ebola virus. The disease is characterized by fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, which can progress to more serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal and external bleeding. Marburg disease can be deadly and is believed to be spread to humans from fruit bats. It can spread through contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids and can also be transmitted from human to human through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids. There is no specific treatment for Marburg disease, and management mainly involves supportive care to ease symptoms and prevent complications. Outbreaks of Marburg disease are rare but can have serious public health effects because of its high death rate and potential for being quickly spread.