An outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus has been reported in the East African nation of Ethiopia. The country has already confirmed 3 deaths from Marburg — the deadliest known pathogen. 17 other people have suspected infections.
Containment measures have reportedly already been put in place by the World Health Organization. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was alerted about a suspected haemorrhagic virus in the region just 2 days ago.
The ministry said on Facebook that "17 suspected cases have been tested, and 3 deaths have been confirmed as caused by the virus." Three other individuals who exhibited symptoms but whose cases were not laboratory confirmed also died, the ministry said.
Health authorities in Africa's second most populous nation said "129 people who had contact with the patients are currently in self-isolation and under close monitoring."
South Sudan’s health ministry on Sunday issued a public health advisory to residents of four counties to wash their hands frequently and avoid contact with bodily fluids to prevent the spread of the virus. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya last week called the outbreak a concern because South Sudan has a “fragile health system,” Associated Press reported.
So far, no cases of Marburg have been reported outside Africa.
Marburg: The deadliest pathogen
Like Ebola, Marburg causes severe bleeding, fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea and has a 21-day incubation period. Also like Ebola, it is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids and has a fatality rate of between 25 and 80%. Typically, only 1 in 5 people are known to survive a Marburg infection.
The Marburg virus originates in fruit bats and spreads between people through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or with contaminated surfaces, such as soiled bedsheets.
There is no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for Marburg, but oral or intravenous rehydration and treatment of specific symptoms increases patients' chances of survival. Last year, Rwanda trialled an experimental vaccine from the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute.
An epidemic of Marburg virus killed 10 people in Tanzania in January before being contained in March. Rwanda said in December 2024 it had managed to stamp out its first known Marburg epidemic, which caused 15 deaths.
