Ethiopia has reported an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in its southern region, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The Marburg virus, similar to Ebola, is highly lethal, causing severe bleeding, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
It has an incubation period of up to 21 days and a fatality rate ranging from 25% to 80%.
The virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids, and currently, there is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that at least nine cases have been detected in southern Ethiopia.
The detection follows Africa CDC being alerted to a suspected hemorrhagic virus in the region two days earlier.
“Marburg virus disease (MVD) has been confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory in Ethiopia,” Africa CDC stated.
“Further epidemiological investigations and laboratory analyses are ongoing, and the virus strain shows similarities to those previously identified in East Africa.”
Ethiopian health authorities are acting swiftly to contain the outbreak in the Jinka area. Africa CDC has pledged to collaborate with the country to ensure an effective response and prevent the virus from spreading further in East Africa.
Previous outbreaks in the region include a Marburg epidemic in Tanzania in January, which killed 10 people, and Rwanda’s first recorded Marburg outbreak in December 2024, which caused 15 deaths.
While there is no approved treatment for Marburg virus, supportive care such as oral or intravenous rehydration and management of symptoms can improve survival chances.
Rwanda also trialed an experimental vaccine from the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute last year.
