Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian health authorities have confirmed a significant outbreak of the Marburg virus in the Omo region, located in the southern part of the country near the border with South Sudan. This marks the first recorded instance of the virus’s spread within Ethiopia.
The Ministry of Health reports that nine confirmed cases of the Marburg virus have been identified. The virus is known to cause severe viral hemorrhagic fever, with fatality rates reaching alarming levels in some outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has launched an emergency response plan. This includes:
- Enhanced health surveillance and tracking of suspected cases
- Deployment of field teams for investigation and diagnosis
- Reinforced infection prevention and control protocols
- Public awareness campaigns in affected areas
Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Marburg virus. Patient care focuses on providing supportive treatment to improve survival rates. The virus is transmitted from fruit bats to humans, and subsequently spreads between individuals through contact with bodily fluids of infected persons.
Key symptoms of Marburg virus disease include severe headache, abdominal pain, bleeding from the nose, mouth, and other areas, and general fatigue and weakness.
The outbreak comes amid international warnings regarding the virus’s potential severity and the risk of further spread if containment measures are not implemented swiftly and effectively.
