This page was created by Sean S.

                                                                                     Marburg 

     Marburg virus or Marburg is the common name for the genus of viruses Marburgvirus. This contains one species, Lake Victoria Marburgvirus. This virus causes 'Marburg Virus Disease.' It is also called 'Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever,' or 'MHF.' The virus was named Marburg after its first outbreak in Marburg, Germany.  MHF originates from Central and East Africa. It is in the same taxonomic family as the Ebola Virus. If looked through a microscope, the viruses look very similar.

Symptoms of Marburg are similar to more common infectious diseases, like malaria or typhoid. The symptoms are most similar to Ebola. In the 1980's, the Soviet Union tried to use this virus as an advantage. They developed biological weapons containing Marburg, but the lead scientist was killed after accidentally exposing himself to the biological weapon. The weaponized version of the virus killed him instantly. If you are exposed to the natural form of the virus, Marburg is capable of killing a normal adult-sized person within 10 days. However there is treatment available for patients. The treatment must be applied immediately after the patient is diagnosed with Marburg or it may become too late for the treatment to work. 

             Here is the link to the website : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marburg_hemorrhagic_fever                                 

                    Source: Wikipedia 

                         Here is a picture of the Marburg Virus.

     Today, Marburg is very rare. Scientists found traces of it on monkeys, African fruit bats, and a few people in places in Africa who lived near those animals. Only 10% to 40% of people with MHF survive even with the treatment. The most recent outbreaks of MHF were in Angola, Uganda, and in the United States. The doctors in Angola moved the patients to a hospital ward in the countryside. When most of the patients died, people became suspicious. When the doctors were looking for more patients in the countryside with full protective gear, people of Angola attacked them. In Uganda, 2 people were treated and another woman died. A woman was infected but she moved back to the United States because she didn't know she had MHF. The woman was treated and she recovered from it.

This is a picture of Angola. Doctors are moving bodies of people who have died of Marburg.

Here is a video given to me by Paul Fernandez:                           

                                                                     This video shows what happened in Angola during 2004 to 2005. Thanks to journeymanpictures for posting the video on youtube. The hospital ward in Uige, Angola is shown. This hospital is off limits for all people except doctors, patients, and nurses who work in the hospital but the cameras were able to enter. Doctor William Parea explains that they cannot be much help because the patients are called in after they have been infected. The doctors can't do anything to prevent the virus.

Here is a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us0ovQ1r0Sg

This is a picture of Marburg, Germany where the first outbreak happened. However the outbreak in Marburg was a long time ago. Thanks to Google Maps for providing the picture.