The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed a Marburg virus outbreak in southern Ethiopia, prompting heightened surveillance across East Africa.
Marburg, a highly lethal haemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, causes severe bleeding, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, with a fatality rate of 25–80 per cent and an incubation period of up to 21 days.
Africa CDC announced the confirmation following laboratory tests at Ethiopia’s National Reference Laboratory.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, revealed that at least nine cases were detected after authorities flagged a suspected haemorrhagic illness earlier in the week.
According to Africa CDC, the identified strain closely resembles variants previously recorded in East Africa. Ethiopian officials have already deployed rapid-response teams to Jinka, the affected area, to contain the spread.
The agency pledged full support to prevent cross-border transmission, noting recent regional experiences: Tanzania recorded 10 deaths in a January outbreak, while Rwanda battled its first Marburg event last year, which claimed 15 lives.
Although no approved vaccine exists, early treatment through rehydration and symptom management significantly improves survival.
Rwanda recently trialled an experimental vaccine produced by the Sabin Vaccine Institute, marking progress toward future prevention tools.
