Marburg virus disease

Prevention

How can Marburg virus disease infections be prevented?

There is no vaccine or treatment for Marburg virus disease.

If you are or have been in a region where a Marburg virus disease outbreak has occurred, take the precautions listed below. To determine if the area you are travelling to is a country or area with a Marburg virus outbreak:

• Visit the Travel Advice and Advisories page, and select your destination. Information on current outbreaks and Travel Health Notices is found under the 'Health' section.

1. Avoid direct contact with blood, saliva, vomit, urine and other bodily fluids (e.g. semen, breast milk, sweat) of people with Marburg virus disease or unknown illnesses.

• Avoid direct contact with bodies of people who died of Marburg virus disease or unknown illnesses.
• Avoid contact with any objects, such as bedding or needles, contaminated with blood or bodily fluids.
• If you are a health care worker,
  • practice strict infection control measures. This includes isolating infected individuals and using personal protective equipment (gowns, masks, goggles and gloves).
  • properly use and disinfect instruments and equipment used to treat or care for patients with Marburg virus disease - like needles and thermometers - before throwing them out.

2. Avoid close contact with wild animals and avoid handling wild meat.

• Avoid potential carriers, both live and dead, since both can spread the virus. Potential carriers of the virus includes:
  • monkeys
  • chimpanzees
  • gorillas
  • fruit bats
  • pigs
  • duikers

3. Know the symptoms of Marburg virus disease and call your public health authority if they develop.

Before visiting a doctor or a hospital, immediately call your public health authority if you have or if anyone in your household has:

• any symptoms of Marburg virus disease

and

• travelled to a Marburg virus disease affected area in the last 21 days

Describe your symptoms over the phone, tell them where you have been travelling or living and mention any possible exposure risks.

Your public health authority will make appropriate arrangements for your medical assessment.