Initial MVD patients are believed to contract the virus via exposure to an infected animal: either a reservoir host (several bat species) or a spill-over host such as NHPs as described in the first MVD outbreak (see above, 1. Epidemiology) [23, 41] . Following transmission to humans, spread of the virus between individuals is the result of direct contact with blood or other body fluids (saliva, sweat, stool, urine, tears, and breast milk) from infected patients. Typical risks of exposure include administration of medical care to infected individuals as well as handling of corpses without use of proper protection [34] . Of particular note, virus has been found in tears, semen, and in a liver biopsy weeks to months following the onset of symptoms highlighting the importance of monitoring convalescent patients [20, [42] [43] [44] .