Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Marburg virus disease (MVD) describes a viral haemorrhagic fever responsible for a number of outbreaks across eastern and southern Africa. It is a zoonotic disease, with the Egyptian rousette (Rousettus aegyptiacus) identified as a reservoir host. Infection is suspected to result from contact between this reservoir and human populations, with occasional secondary human-to-human transmission. METHODS: Index cases of previous human outbreaks were identified and reports of infection in animals recorded. These data were modelled within a species distribution modelling framework in order to generate a probabilistic surface of zoonotic transmission potential of MVD across sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS: Areas suitable for zoonotic transmission of MVD are predicted in 27 countries inhabited by 105 million people. Regions are suggested for exploratory surveys to better characterise the geographical distribution of the disease, as well as for directing efforts to communicate the risk of practices enhancing zoonotic contact. CONCLUSIONS: These maps can inform future contingency and preparedness strategies for MVD control, especially where secondary transmission is a risk. Coupling this risk map with patient travel histories could be used to guide the differential diagnosis of highly transmissible pathogens, enabling more rapid response to outbreaks of haemorrhagic fever.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/trstmh/trv024

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg

Publication Date

06/2015

Volume

109

Pages

366 - 378

Keywords

Boosted regression trees, Filovirus, Marburg virus disease, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Species distribution models, Viral haemorrhagic fever, Africa South of the Sahara, Animals, Chiroptera, Disease Outbreaks, Disease Reservoirs, Ecology, Geography, Host-Parasite Interactions, Humans, Marburg Virus Disease, Marburgvirus, Models, Theoretical, Phylogeny, RNA, Viral, Risk Factors, Seasons, Zoonoses