Marburg Virus Outbreak Raises Concerns in Africa and Beyond.

Marburg virus, a deadly cousin of Ebola, has flared up in Africa, with outbreaks reported in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea. The virus causes viral hemorrhagic fever, resulting in dangerous internal bleeding and organ damage, and has a high fatality rate. Unlike Ebola, there are no approved vaccines or antivirals for Marburg. Experimental vaccines have shown promise in nonhuman primates, and the World Health Organization is planning to start trials of some of these vaccines using ring vaccination. However, there are still gaps in the response to Marburg outbreaks, including better local testing and protocols for dealing with potentially dangerous pathogens.