Date: 22 Jan 2009
Source: CDC, Special Pathogens Branch, Outbreak Postings [edited]

THE VIRUS ITSELF

Click on Marburg hemorrhagic fever for the full story
On Wd 22 Jan 2009, CDC’s Special Pathogens
Branch retrospectively diagnosed a case of
Marburg hemorrhagic fever in a U.S. traveler, who
returned from Uganda in January 2008. The patient
developed illness 4 days after returning to the
U.S., was hospitalized, discharged, and fully
recovered. Initial testing of samples collected
during the patient’s acute illness in January
2008 did not initially show evidence of Marburg
virus infection. Testing of a convalescent sample
indicated a possible previous infection, and more
detailed testing of both samples at CDC confirmed
that the patient’s illness was due to Marburg hemorrhagic fever.

A FRUITBAT, THE LITTLE VIXEN!

The recovered patient had visited the “python
cave” in Maramagambo Forest, Queen Elizabeth
Park, western Uganda. This is a popular
destination among tourists to see the
bat-infested cave; a fatal case of Marburg
hemorrhagic fever occurred in a Dutch tourist in
July 2008 who had entered this cave. Both
patients likely acquired their infections as a
result of contact with cave-dwelling fruit bats,
which are capable of harboring Marburg virus.

Marburg virus is a zoonotic virus that occurs in
tropical areas of Africa, and causes a severe,
often fatal, hemorrhagic fever in humans and
non-human primates. It can also be transmitted
through direct contact with a symptomatic patient
or materials contaminated with infectious body
fluids. The Ugandan Ministry of Health officially
closed the cave to visitors in August 2008, after the Dutch case…

…lth care providers should
be aware of the risk of viral hemorrhagic fever
among travelers returning from endemic countries,
and should report any suspected cases immediately
to their health department and to CDC’s Special
Pathogens Branch Branch (Tel. 404-639-1115;
404-639-2888 after hours) for diagnostic testing and further guidance.”