ADDIS ABABA (Realist English). Ethiopia has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease after nine cases were detected in the southern Omo region, near the border with South Sudan. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the country’s swift response has helped contain early transmission and reduce the risk of wider spread.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday praised Ethiopia’s “rapid and transparent response,” calling it evidence of the government’s commitment to controlling the outbreak. The confirmation follows a WHO alert a day earlier, when health authorities began investigating suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases.
Marburg, a filovirus closely related to Ebola but often considered more severe, is a rare but highly lethal hemorrhagic fever. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the disease spreads through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Symptoms range from fever and rash to severe bleeding, and there is currently no approved treatment or vaccine — only supportive care.
The outbreak’s location has raised regional concerns. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, noted that nearby South Sudan has a fragile health system, increasing the urgency of Ethiopia’s containment efforts. No other African country has reported Marburg cases in recent weeks.
The WHO said it is actively assisting Ethiopian authorities with case management, surveillance and preparedness to prevent cross-border transmission. Ethiopia’s Health Ministry reported that infected individuals have been isolated and are receiving care, while contact tracing and community-wide screenings are under way.
Health officials urged the public to remain calm, follow official guidance, and seek medical attention if symptoms appear.
