How severe and prevalent are Ebola and Marburg viruses
Citation: Nyakarahuka L, Kankya C, Krontveit R, et al. How severe and prevalent are Ebola and Marburg viruses? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the case fatality rates and seroprevalence. BMC infectious diseases. 2016 Dec;16(1):708.
Summary: Evidence shows that case fatality rates (CFR) of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) are lower than that of what the media and other reports have been publicizing.
Ever since modern technology has allowed the identification of the various strains of Ebola virus in early outbreaks, studies have been conducted to quantify the CFR, severity, and seroprevalence of the different strains on EVD and MVD. However, a meta-analysis has never been performed to confirm the CFRs that have been published by a variety of sources.
Seventy-two articles that reported outbreaks and prevalence of EVD and MVD were analyzed and results show that there is a significant difference in the CFR to that of the other reports. Also, amongst the same strain of EVD, the CFR values were different across African countries, and showed a correlation with the degree of development of the surveillance system for viral hemorrhagic fever detection. Hence, the CFR is partially influenced by non-virological factors such as the healthcare system, and response mechanisms to outbreaks.