The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Saturday confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in southern Ethiopia.
In a statement, the agency said the National Reference Laboratory in Ethiopia verified the presence of Marburg virus disease (MVD) after authorities detected a suspected hemorrhagic fever cluster in the Jinka area earlier this week.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Friday that at least nine cases had been identified in southern Ethiopia.
Africa CDC noted that preliminary analysis shows the detected strain is similar to variants previously recorded in East Africa. It said further epidemiological investigations and laboratory tests are ongoing.
Ethiopian health authorities “acted swiftly” to confirm and contain the outbreak, the agency added, noting that it is working closely with the government to prevent any regional spread.
Marburg virus is among the world’s deadliest pathogens, with a fatality rate ranging from 25% to 80%. Like Ebola, it is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids and causes severe fever, bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea. The incubation period can last up to 21 days.
East Africa has seen several outbreaks in recent years. Earlier this year, Tanzania confirmed an epidemic that killed 10 people before it was declared over in March, while Rwanda ended its first recorded outbreak in late 2024 after 15 deaths.
There is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg virus, though supportive care such as oral or intravenous rehydration can improve survival. Rwanda last year tested an experimental vaccine developed by the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute.