Ethiopia Reports Marburg Virus Outbreak

Ethiopia has confirmed nine Marburg virus cases, including two deaths, prompting swift containment efforts as Africa CDC and WHO support authorities in preventing the spread of the highly lethal haemorrhagic disease.

Ethiopia has confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus in the southern Jinka area, with at least nine cases identified, two of which have reportedly resulted in fatalities, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Health officials have moved swiftly to contain the spread of the highly lethal virus, which is considered one of the world’s most dangerous pathogens.

Marburg virus, a haemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, is known for its sudden onset and severe symptoms, including high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and extensive internal bleeding. The disease has an incubation period of up to 21 days, and its fatality rate ranges widely from 25 to 80 per cent, depending on the outbreak and the speed of medical intervention.

Ethiopian authorities have deployed rapid response teams to Jinka and surrounding areas, initiating case detection, contact tracing, isolation, and community sensitisation. Africa CDC and the World Health Organization are supporting national efforts with laboratory testing, emergency supplies, and technical expertise to help prevent cross-border transmission.

Health experts emphasise that there is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg virus. Supportive care — including rehydration, management of symptoms, and treatment of secondary infections — remains the only available medical approach.

The latest outbreak has heightened regional concern, given Jinka’s proximity to porous borders and the potential for undetected spread. Public health officials are urging neighbouring countries to strengthen surveillance and maintain heightened alertness.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. In an age of rapidly moving pathogens, global health authorities say early detection and rapid response remain humanity’s most effective tools — and sometimes its only line of defence.