Ethiopia’s Marburg Outbreak Death Toll Rises to Five

Addis Ababa, Nov 24 – The Ministry of Health in Ethiopia announced that the death toll from the Marburg virus disease outbreak has reached five. This update came following the confirmation of two additional infections, bringing the total number of cases to 10. Health authorities are conducting laboratory investigations on 53 suspected cases to contain Ethiopia’s first-ever Marburg virus outbreak. Currently, five individuals are receiving treatment in healthcare facilities after contracting the virus. The outbreak was first confirmed in Jinka town on November 14, with efforts underway to prevent cross-border spread to neighboring countries like South Sudan and Kenya. The Marburg virus, similar to Ebola, is highly infectious with a high fatality rate, causing symptoms such as high fever and severe headache. According to the World Health Organization, the fatality ratio for Marburg virus disease can be as high as 88%. Outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in various African countries since its detection in 1967.