Green Monkey Disease ("Marburg Virus" Disease): A New Zoonosis

Excerpt

During August and September 1967, an epidemic of a previously undescribed human disease occurred which was related to contact with African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) (1-8). In total, there were 31 cases in 3 European cities: 23 in Marburg, 6 in Frankfurt, and 2 in Belgrade. Nine deaths resulted with a case-fatality-ratio of 29%. Twenty-six of the cases were in laboratory workers having direct contact with blood or tissues of these animals. Four cases were in hospital personnel caring for the patients; infection in these instances most probably was incurred through contact with the patients' blood. A single case probably