Ethiopia confirms first outbreak of Marburg virus

"Ethiopia has confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, after nine cases were reported in the south of the country. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday commended the Ethiopian Health Ministry and other health agencies for their rapid and transparent response to the outbreak. list of 3 itemsend of list This fast action demonstrates the seriousness of the country's commitment to bringing the outbreak under control quickly, Tedros wrote in a social media post."

"Marburg is from the same family as Ebola, namely the Filoviridae family (filovirus) of viruses. It has been described as more severe than Ebola. The United States-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes it as a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever that can be deadly. Originating in Egyptian fruit bats, it can spread between people when someone comes into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, or objects contaminated with their fluids, such as clothing or bedsheets."

"Symptoms include fever, rash and severe bleeding, and there is no treatment or vaccine for Marburg, according to the CDC. Instead, it says that treatment is limited to supportive care, including rest and hydration. The outbreak in Ethiopia was reported in the country's southern region of Omo, which borders South Sudan. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said on Thursday that the outbreak was a concern because South Sudan isn't far and has a fragile health system."

Ethiopia confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease after nine cases were reported in the southern Omo region. WHO Director-General Tedros commended the Ethiopian Health Ministry and agencies for rapid, transparent response and the WHO is actively supporting containment and treatment efforts. Marburg is a filovirus related to Ebola and can be more severe; the CDC describes it as a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever that can be deadly. The virus originates in Egyptian fruit bats and spreads via contact with bodily fluids or contaminated objects. Symptoms include fever, rash and severe bleeding. No specific treatment or vaccine exists; care is supportive.

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