By HAN News Desk
ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia has officially confirmed an outbreak of the highly lethal Marburg virus, with nine suspected cases detected in the country’s southern region, health authorities announced on Friday. The cases were identified in the Omo Zone, a remote area bordering South Sudan, following laboratory testing and on-the-ground investigations by emergency response teams.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged the outbreak and praised Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and partner agencies for what he described as a “swift and transparent response.” He said the early intervention had helped slow the potential spread of the virus, but warned that the situation remained extremely serious.
Marburg is one of the world’s deadliest viral haemorrhagic fevers, belonging to the same family as Ebola. It can kill up to 88% of those infected. The disease begins suddenly with high fever, severe headache and vomiting, and can quickly progress to rash, bleeding and organ failure. Health officials said the virus’s ability to spread rapidly and kill quickly made immediate containment essential.
The outbreak’s proximity to South Sudan has raised deep concern among regional health authorities. South Sudan’s healthcare system remains fragile, weakened by conflict, displacement and chronic shortages of medical staff. Experts warn that population movements across the Ethiopia–South Sudan border, including pastoralists, traders and displaced communities, could accelerate transmission if not closely monitored.
WHO has deployed rapid response teams to the affected areas and is coordinating with Ethiopia and neighbouring countries to strengthen border surveillance, laboratory testing and emergency preparedness. The organisation has urged countries in the region to remain vigilant and enhance screening at major crossings.
Ethiopian authorities are still investigating the source of the outbreak. Marburg is typically transmitted from fruit bats to humans, and then spreads between people through direct contact with bodily fluids. Epidemiologists, laboratory specialists and community health workers have been sent to the Omo region to begin contact tracing, raise awareness and isolate suspected cases.
Officials have called for public vigilance, urging citizens to report symptoms immediately and avoid unsafe burials or close contact with sick individuals. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said the government is treating the situation as an emergency and emphasised that early action is crucial to preventing wider transmission.
