Marburg Virus Outbreak Confirmed in Ethiopia, Triggering Rapid Response
Ethiopia has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the Jinka area, as reported by the state broadcaster EBC. The outbreak was detected on Wednesday following alerts regarding a suspected hemorrhagic illness, with initial testing identifying at least nine infections among 17 individuals tested, and subsequent confirmation of deaths.
The rapid spread of cases has prompted urgent containment measures across the region. Ethiopian authorities have isolated 129 individuals who had contact with confirmed patients and are closely monitoring thier health. Neighboring South Sudan has issued health advisories urging residents in border counties to avoid contact with bodily fluids.
Symptoms of Marburg virus disease initially include severe fever, intense headaches, and muscle pain, progressing to vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, patients experience haemorrhaging from the nose, gums, and internal organs.
Ethiopian Minister of Health, Daba, stated that efforts are underway to quickly control the outbreak through a coordinated national response. Emergency response centres have been activated at multiple levels, and rapid response teams have been deployed to affected areas. Currently, there are no active symptomatic cases being treated.
Ethiopia has established independent laboratory testing capacity for Marburg at the national public health institute, eliminating reliance on external diagnostics. The ministry is urging anyone experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical testing.
International support is being provided by teams from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A public awareness campaign has also been launched, distributing infographics in Amharic detailing symptoms and prevention measures, alongside a hotline for reporting suspected cases.
Marburg virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials and has an average mortality rate of roughly 50%, though previous outbreaks have seen rates as high as 88% according to WHO data. The UN health agency emphasizes the vulnerability of health workers to infection if strict infection control precautions are not followed.
This outbreak adds to a concerning trend of haemorrhagic fever emergencies in East africa.Tanzania experienced a Marburg outbreak earlier this year resulting in 10 deaths, and Rwanda concluded its frist recorded outbreak last december, with 15 fatalities. Rwanda utilized an experimental vaccine during its response.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya has voiced particular concern regarding potential spillover into South Sudan, citing the country’s fragile healthcare infrastructure as a significant risk factor for cross-border transmission.
