Fellow Nurses Africa | Lagos, Nigeria | 19 November, 2025
Ethiopia has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of the dangerous Marburg virus in the southern town of Jinka, located in the Omo region near the South Sudan border.
Health officials report nine confirmed cases, and three deaths have now been confirmed. The outbreak has triggered urgent response measures, including contact tracing, community screening, and isolation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have dispatched response teams and essential medical supplies to help contain the virus.
Marburg is a hemorrhagic fever virus closely related to Ebola. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can include fever, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and in severe cases, bleeding.
There is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment, so medical teams are relying on supportive care like rehydration.
Africa CDC has praised Ethiopia’s government for its quick, transparent response. However, public health experts are warning of potential regional spread, especially given Jinka’s proximity to South Sudan and its fragile health infrastructure.
Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
