# Behavioral risk assessment of exposure to wild and domestic animals in response to a Marburg virus disease outbreak, Ghana 2022

## TL;DR

A study in Ghana investigated how people's behaviors might increase their risk of exposure to Marburg virus through contact with bats during a 2022 outbreak.

## Contribution

The study identified specific behaviors and locations in rural Ghana that could increase exposure to Marburg virus and other bat-borne pathogens.

## Key findings

- Eating fruit with bite marks was common, especially in the Western Region, and was negatively correlated with higher education.
- Residents in Site 3 were more likely to enter caves or mines with bats, increasing exposure risk.
- Serological surveys are recommended to detect unreported cases and exposure to other filoviruses.

## Abstract

In July 2022, Ghana reported its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD). The source of the outbreak was unknown. In August 2022 we conducted a behavioral risk assessment, surveying 715 participants in three rural communities associated with the presumptive index case: Site 1 in Ashanti Region and Sites 2 and 3 in the Western Region of Ghana. Our primary aim was to characterize exposure to wild and domestic animals, specifically Egyptian rousette bats (ERBs), the natural reservoir for Marburg virus. We focused on two primary routes of potential exposure to ERBs: 1) eating fruit bearing bite marks and 2) entering caves or mines where bats were present. Eating fruit bearing bite marks was common across all sites, but highest at Site 2 in the Western Region. Higher levels of education were negatively correlated with eating fruit bearing bite marks, while having fruit trees present on the participant's home compound increased the odds of this exposure. Residents in Site 3 were significantly more likely to be exposed to bats in caves and mines. Participants across all sites also reported high levels of exposure to bats inside buildings; while ERBs do not typically roost in buildings, this presents a potential risk of exposure to other bat-associated pathogens. One participant at Site 3 reported symptoms consistent with MVD in the previous four months, suggesting the possibility of unrecognized cases that may have been associated with the outbreak. This study identified behaviors within the outbreak regions that could increase the risk of exposure to Marburg virus and other bat-borne pathogens. Serological surveys in these communities would provide important information about the extent of the Marburg outbreak by identifying unreported cases, as well as exposure to other filoviruses.

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•We administered a risk assessment to 715 people in three communities impacted by Ghana's 2022 Marburg virus disease outbreak.•We identified opportunities for potential exposure to Marburg virus and other bat-borne pathogens.•We specifically analyzed factors associated with potential exposure to Egyptian Rousette bats, a known Marburg reservoir.•Key exposures included eating fruit bearing bite marks and entering caves/mines where bats were present.

We administered a risk assessment to 715 people in three communities impacted by Ghana's 2022 Marburg virus disease outbreak.

We identified opportunities for potential exposure to Marburg virus and other bat-borne pathogens.

We specifically analyzed factors associated with potential exposure to Egyptian Rousette bats, a known Marburg reservoir.

Key exposures included eating fruit bearing bite marks and entering caves/mines where bats were present.