Marburg Virus Infection in Egyptian Rousette Bats, South Africa, 2013-20141

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Jun;24(6):1134-1137. doi: 10.3201/eid2406.172165.

Abstract

We detected a high seroprevalence of Marburg virus (MARV) antibodies in fruit bats in South Africa; 19.1% of recaptured bats seroconverted. The MARV RNA isolated closely resembled the 1975 Ozolin strain. These findings indicate endemic MARV circulation in bats in South Africa and should inform policies on MARV disease risk reduction.

Keywords: Egyptian rousette bats; Marburg virus; Matlapitsi Cave; Ozolin strain; South Africa; birthing season; fruit bats; mating season; seroprevalence; viruses.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chiroptera / virology*
  • Disease Reservoirs / virology*
  • Genes, Viral
  • History, 21st Century
  • Marburg Virus Disease / epidemiology*
  • Marburg Virus Disease / history
  • Marburg Virus Disease / transmission
  • Marburg Virus Disease / virology*
  • Marburgvirus* / classification
  • Marburgvirus* / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • South Africa / epidemiology