Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the South Ethiopia Region, following laboratory testing of samples from a cluster of suspected viral haemorrhagic fever cases. Genetic analysis by the Ethiopia Public Health Institute identified the virus as the same strain previously reported in other East African outbreaks. The outbreak has so far affected nine people in Jinka town.
National authorities are intensifying response measures, including community-wide screening, isolation of confirmed cases, treatment, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns to prevent further spread. The government is being supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner organizations, which have deployed expert responders along with essential medical supplies and equipment to contain the outbreak.
Marburg virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness caused by the Marburg virus, which is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and spreads between people through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Early symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, and fatigue, often progressing to severe bleeding within a week. While several medical countermeasures are in clinical trials, no licensed therapeutic or vaccine currently exists. Supportive treatment, including rehydration and symptom management, can improve survival rates.
Previous outbreaks in the African region have occurred in countries including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, highlighting the potential severity and regional importance of rapid response measures.
