By OrionTimes International Desk
Addis Ababa | November 2025
Ethiopia has confirmed three deaths from the highly contagious Marburg virus, sparking concern across East Africa as authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak. The cases were detected in the South Omo zone, a region bordering South Sudan, raising fears of possible cross-border spread.
According to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, nine infections have been confirmed so far, with more than 120 people identified as contacts now under close observation. Health Minister Mekdes Daba noted that while the confirmed deaths are alarming, there are currently no active symptomatic cases under treatment.
Rapid Response Underway
The government has activated its national emergency response system, dispatching rapid-response teams and establishing isolation centers in affected communities. Public health campaigns, including multilingual awareness materials and an emergency hotline, are being deployed to help citizens identify symptoms early and report suspected cases.
International health bodies are also on the ground. Teams from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) are supporting Ethiopia with diagnostics, contact tracing, and treatment protocols. Ethiopia’s national laboratory is now conducting Marburg tests locally, reducing delays in confirmation.
About the Marburg Virus
Marburg virus disease is a deadly hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. It is believed to originate from fruit bats and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms often begin with high fever and severe headache before progressing to vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding. Fatality rates in past outbreaks have reached up to 80–88%.
No approved vaccine or antiviral treatment exists, making early detection and supportive care critical.
Regional Concerns Rising
The outbreak’s proximity to South Sudan has prompted heightened surveillance across the border. South Sudanese authorities have issued advisories urging residents to practice strict hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids, and report unusual illnesses.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya warned that East Africa must remain alert, given the potential for rapid spread in regions with limited health infrastructure.
What Happens Next
Ethiopian authorities say surveillance will continue in high-risk communities, alongside intensified screening at health centers and border points. WHO has praised Ethiopia’s swift action but emphasized the need for sustained vigilance in the coming weeks.
The situation remains under close watch as East Africa braces for further updates on one of the world’s most dangerous viral pathogens.
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