Ethiopia Confirms First-Ever Marburg Virus Outbreak

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.