Brought to Marburg in a shipment of infected African Green Monkeys from Uganda. 31 people were affected and 7 died in 1967. No disease occurred in people who handled only intact animals or those who wore gloves and protective clothing when handling tissues. A second outbreak was reported in Africa in 1975 involving three people with no verified contact with monkeys. Third and fourth outbreaks in Kenya 1980 and 1987.
Natural reservoir is unknown.
Monkeys thought to be accidental hosts along with man. Antibodies have been found in African Green monkeys, baboons, and chimpanzees. Direct contact with infected blood or tissues or close contact with infected patients. Virus has also been found in semen, saliva, and urine. No clinical signs occur in green monkeys, but the disease is usually fatal after experimental infection of other primate species.