Africa CDC confirmed a Marburg virus outbreak in southern Ethiopia, with at least nine cases detected in the Jinka area of the Omo region near the Sudan border.

The World Health Organization has dispatched a technical expert team to assist with testing, outbreak control, and supplies such as PPE, infection-control materials, and a deployable isolation tent.

The situation includes ongoing vaccine discussions, with Rwanda having tested an experimental Sabin Vaccine Institute vaccine in 2024 as part of regional research and international support for Ethiopia’s containment efforts.

authorities warn that neighboring South Sudan and the broader region face limited healthcare capacity, underscoring the seriousness of the outbreak.

There is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg; standard care focuses on supportive treatment, rehydration, and symptom management to improve survival.

Eight suspected cases were reported by Ethiopian authorities the day before the WHO team arrived, signaling a rapid and serious response.

Ethiopian health authorities, with WHO support, are actively confirming, containing, and coordinating cross-border measures to minimize spread within East Africa.

Marburg is a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces, with fruit bats as natural reservoirs; common symptoms include fever, muscle pains, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Regional context shows Marburg has appeared in nearby East African countries this year, including Tanzania and Rwanda, highlighting cross-border transmission risks.

The WHO has activated an expert outbreak response team and will pursue case investigation, isolation, treatment, and contact tracing in collaboration with Ethiopian authorities.

Genetic analyses indicate the Ethiopian cases are linked to the same viral strain circulating in neighboring East Africa; laboratory investigations are ongoing.

As of now, no other African country has reported recent Marburg cases.