Marburg Virus Spreads, Gulf Countries Warn

The World Health Organization has warned that the risk of contracting the Marburg virus is extremely high in Africa amid a deadly outbreak, noting that the virus has spread from rural areas of Equatorial Guinea to more densely populated regions and major transportation hubs, increasing the risk of transmission. It stated that at a global level, the risks are considered low, as the virus is endemic in parts of Central Africa. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain called on their citizens on Friday and Saturday to avoid and postpone travel to Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea following the detection of the virus outbreak. Marburg is deadly and highly infectious, causing hemorrhagic fever, with a mortality rate of up to 88%. The disease was first identified in 1967 after consecutive cases occurred in "Marburg" and "Frankfurt" in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia, according to the World Health Organization.