Where Will Marburg Virus Strike Next

Since 1967, when the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) was first identified in West Germany, highly lethal outbreaks have affected various countries.

Recently, African countries such as the Republic of Tanzania have experienced how this Ebola-like disease can disrupt a health system.

When the MVD outbreak hit parts of Tanzania in early 2025, the Tanzania Red Cross Society took action, leveraging years of epidemic preparedness to contain the deadly virus. 

During this outbreak, the U.S. CDC provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, assessing outbreak conditions, engaging with regional health authorities, providing technical input on surveillance protocols, assessing treatment units, and participating in cross-border meetings.

Fortunately, the total number of cases was relatively low (10).

However, the fatality rate was 100%, which underscores the urgent need for an MVD vaccine.

Unlike Ebola vaccines, MVD vaccine candidates are being tested in clinical studies.

Announced in April 2025, the Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute launched a multi-site Phase 2 clinical trial in the United States for its Marburg vaccine candidate, based on the cAd3 platform.

The goal of this clinical trial is to build on ongoing Phase 2 testing in Kenya and Uganda, with initial findings from that research expected in the coming months. The initial compaction date for this phase 2 study is April 2026.

Sabin's single-dose investigational Marburg vaccine was found to be promising in Phase 1 clinical trials.

Other vaccine candidates include Soligenix, Inc.'s MarVax, a subunit protein vaccine composed of recombinantly expressed MARV glycoprotein. On April 15, 2024, the U.S. FDA granted orphan drug designation.

Additionally, researchers at the University of Oxford are developing the ChAdOx1 Marburg vaccine candidate.

Until preventive vaccines are authorized, the CDC outlines recommendations for organizations that send U.S.-based personnel to areas with MVD outbreaks that are a risk of person-to-person transmission.