Ethiopia confirmed three deaths from the Marburg virus, sparking alarm near the South Sudanese border, authorities said Monday.
The outbreak, declared Friday, was detected in the southern Omo region after 17 suspected cases underwent rigorous testing, Health Minister Mekdes Daba explained.
Officials stressed there are no active cases, but preventive measures are underway to curb the virus’s deadly spread among communities.
A World Health Organization team and Africa CDC experts have been dispatched to support testing and strengthen local outbreak containment efforts.
South Sudan’s health ministry issued advisories urging residents to wash hands and avoid contact with bodily fluids to prevent viral transmission.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya warned the outbreak poses significant risks due to South Sudan’s fragile healthcare infrastructure, heightening regional concern.
Marburg, a relative of Ebola, spreads through close contact with infected fluids or contaminated surfaces, including soiled bedsheets, officials said.
The virus originates in fruit bats and can be fatal in up to 88% of infections without supportive care, according to WHO data.
Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death from internal bleeding, making rapid detection critical for survival.
Past outbreaks and sporadic cases have been recorded across Africa, including Uganda, Ghana, Angola, Rwanda, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Kenya, and South Africa.
