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.
Description:
Some preliminary results from this study were presented at the 6th International Symposium on Filoviruses; March 30–April 2, 2014; Galveston, Texas, USA.