Ethiopia confirms first outbreak of Marburg virus

Ethiopia has confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, with nine reported cases in the southern part of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the Ethiopian Health Ministry for their rapid and transparent response. Marburg, a virus related to Ebola, is considered more severe by medical experts. The United States-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever that can be fatal. The outbreak occurred in Ethiopia’s Omo region, which shares a border with South Sudan, a country with a fragile health system. The WHO is actively supporting Ethiopia to contain the outbreak and prevent cross-border spread.