Marburg virus disease. The diagnosis and management of suspected cases.

Marburg virus disease is an African disease of unknown epidemiology. The infection is pantropic and highly contagious. Haemorrhage and other features cause serious morbidity and high mortality, and early diagnosis is essential. Viral haemorrhagic fever is diagnosed clinically and confirmed by coagulation studies. Electron microscopy and serology are necessary for the identification of the virus, as Lassa and Ebola viruses (among other organisms) give similar symptoms, and Ebola virus is morphologically indistinguishable from Marburg virus. Treatment is essentially supportive. Patients and contacts must be isolated and monitored, and extreme precautions must be taken by hospital and laboratory staff to prevent their own infection.