Ethiopia Confirms Marburg Virus Outbreak in Southern Region
Ethiopia has recorded an outbreak of the highly lethal Marburg virus in the south of the country, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced on Saturday.
Marburg, a haemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, causes high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe bleeding, and is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids. The virus has an incubation period of up to 21 days and a fatality rate estimated between 25 and 80 percent.
World Health Organisation Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed on Friday that at least nine cases had been detected, following earlier alerts from Africa CDC about a suspected outbreak.
According to Africa CDC, Ethiopia’s National Reference Laboratory verified the cases after initial testing, with further epidemiological investigations now underway. Preliminary analysis indicates that the virus strain is similar to those previously detected in East Africa.
Authorities in Ethiopia have reportedly moved quickly to contain the spread in the Jinka area, while Africa CDC said it is working with the government to manage the response and prevent cross-border transmission.
East Africa has experienced several Marburg outbreaks in recent years. The virus killed 10 people in Tanzania early last year before being contained, while Rwanda also reported 15 deaths in its first known outbreak in 2024 before declaring it under control.
There is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral therapy for Marburg. Supportive care—such as rehydration and symptom management—can improve survival chances. Rwanda last year trialled an experimental vaccine developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute.
