Ethiopia has confirmed its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak after nine cases were reported in the southern Omo region bordering South Sudan, sparking urgent international support and regional alarm.
Health authorities moved swiftly after days of investigation into a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever, working to contain the virus in an area with frequent cross-border movement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Ethiopia’s rapid action. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended the government for its transparency and early intervention. A WHO technical team has been deployed to assist with testing, case management, and outbreak response, while essential supplies—including protective gear, infection-prevention materials, and an isolation tent—have been sent to the affected region.
Africa CDC’s Director-General, Jean Kaseya, described the situation as “particularly concerning” given South Sudan’s proximity and fragile health infrastructure.
The Marburg virus, a deadly hemorrhagic disease related to Ebola, spreads through fruit bats and human-to-human contact via bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and severe bleeding. With no approved vaccine or treatment, experts say early detection and containment are crucial.
As Ethiopia races to halt further spread, health officials and the international community are closely monitoring whether rapid intervention can prevent the outbreak from escalating into a wider regional threat.
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