Marburg Virus Infection in Egyptian Rousette Bats, South Africa, 2013–2014

Abstract

We detected a high seroprevalence of Marburg virus (MARV) antibodies in fruit bats in South Africa; 19.1% of recaptured bats seroconverted. The MARV RNA isolated closely resembled the 1975 Ozolin strain. These findings indicate endemic MARV circulation in bats in South Africa and should inform policies on MARV disease risk reduction.

Keywords

• Marburg virus
• fruit bats
• South Africa
• Egyptian rousette bats
• seroprevalence
• viruses