Ethiopia Reports Three Marburg Deaths, Sparking Regional Alarm

Ethiopia has confirmed three deaths linked to Marburg virus in the country’s south, as health authorities race to contain an outbreak of the deadly haemorrhagic disease near the border with South Sudan. Health Minister Mekdes Daba disclosed the deaths three days after the official declaration of the outbreak in the Omo region. Laboratory tests confirmed three deaths from the pathogen, with three additional deaths under investigation, according to a statement by the minister reported by state broadcaster EBC. Urgent containment measures have been put in place as cases rapidly spread. Ethiopia has isolated 129 individuals who had contact with confirmed patients and is closely monitoring them.