Ethiopia Reports Three Deaths in Marburg Virus Outbreak

Ethiopia has confirmed three deaths linked to an outbreak of the Marburg haemorrhagic virus, which poses a significant health threat. The cases were reported in the Omo region, an area adjacent to South Sudan, prompting government action to contain the situation. Health Minister Mekdes Daba announced on March 4, 2024, that the government had tested 17 individuals suspected of infection, noting that no active cases were currently detected.

In response to the outbreak, the Ethiopian government declared a Marburg emergency on Friday. Although the virus can be fatal in up to 88 percent of those infected, preventive measures are being implemented to mitigate its spread. A team from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has been dispatched to assist with ongoing testing and outbreak management.

The situation has drawn concern from health officials, particularly given the fragile health infrastructure in South Sudan. On March 3, 2024, South Sudan’s health ministry issued a public health advisory. Residents of four counties were urged to practice frequent handwashing and to avoid contact with bodily fluids to prevent transmission of the virus.

The Marburg virus, like Ebola, is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, such as soiled bedding. Symptoms of the virus include fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can escalate to severe blood loss leading to death.

There are currently no authorized vaccines or treatments for Marburg, making outbreaks particularly dangerous. Although instances of the virus are relatively rare, it has been previously documented in several African countries, including Rwanda, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, and Uganda, according to the WHO.

As Ethiopia navigates this health crisis, officials remain vigilant and committed to implementing measures that protect public health while working closely with international health organizations to ensure a coordinated response to the outbreak.