Ethiopian health authorities have confirmed that the viral outbreak reported in the country’s south was caused by the highly lethal Marburg virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on X that at least nine people have been infected.
The confirmation follows several days of investigation by national and international health teams after patients began exhibiting symptoms consistent with viral hemorrhagic fever. Marburg, a close relative of the Ebola virus, is known for causing severe illness and has fatality rates in previous outbreaks ranging from 24% to over 80%.
Surveillance and Containment Measures Underway
Ethiopian health officials, working with WHO specialists, have launched expanded surveillance in affected communities and are tracing contacts of known cases. Rapid response teams have also been deployed to support local clinics, strengthen infection-prevention controls, and provide community education on reducing transmission risks.
The outbreak marks the first confirmed detection of Marburg in Ethiopia. The virus is typically transmitted through contact with fruit bats or by direct exposure to bodily fluids of infected individuals. Several East African nations—including Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya—have previously confronted similar outbreaks, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to diseases that spill over from wildlife.
WHO said more information will be released as laboratory testing, field investigations, and case monitoring continue.
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Source:Africa Publicity
