Ethiopia Reports Nine Cases of Marburg Virus as WHO Steps In
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Saturday that Ethiopia has identified nine potential cases of the Marburg virus. The organization has pledged its full support to Ethiopian authorities in efforts to manage the outbreak, provide care for those infected, and prevent the virus from spreading beyond the country.
The Marburg virus is recognized as one of the most lethal pathogens, causing severe illness that can be fatal. Symptoms typically include high fever, intense headaches, muscle pain, and internal bleeding, which may manifest within a week of infection.
* Origin and Transmission
Similar to the Ebola virus, the Marburg virus is believed to originate from bats and is transmitted among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated objects, such as bedding, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The virus was first identified in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in laboratories in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, where 31 individuals were infected while conducting research on monkeys, resulting in seven fatalities. Initial investigations linked the outbreak to African green monkeys imported from Uganda, although the virus has since been associated with other animal sources.
The risk of human transmission increases for individuals who have spent extended periods in caves or mines where bats reside.
* Current Treatment Options
Currently, there is no specific vaccine or treatment available for the Marburg virus. However, supportive care, including oral or intravenous rehydration and management of symptoms, may improve survival rates, as reported by "France Press".
* Health Authorities Respond
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has confirmed that the strain of the virus identified in the country is similar to those that have caused outbreaks in other East African nations. Preventive measures are being implemented in collaboration with international health organizations, including screening and monitoring activities.
Previously, other countries have faced Marburg outbreaks; Tanzania recently declared the end of an outbreak that resulted in 10 deaths, while Rwanda reported its first outbreak in December 2024, leading to 15 fatalities.
Although the Marburg virus is less recognized than its relative Ebola, it was discovered approximately a decade earlier, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance from global health authorities.
