Marburg Virus Cases Confirmed in Ethiopia Amid Global Health Response
Last Saturday, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Ethiopia has recorded nine potential cases of the Marburg virus. The organization has pledged its full support to Ethiopian authorities in their efforts to manage the outbreak, treat infected individuals, and prevent further spread.
The Marburg virus is regarded as one of the most dangerous pathogens globally, often leading to fatal illness characterized by severe symptoms including high fever, intense headaches, muscle pain, and internal bleeding, which can manifest within a week of infection.
* A Rare Virus Linked to Bats
Similar to the Ebola virus, Marburg is transmitted from bats to humans and spreads among people through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, such as bedding, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The virus was first identified in 1967 in laboratories in Marburg, Germany, following simultaneous outbreaks in Germany and Belgrade, where 31 individuals were infected during research involving monkeys, resulting in seven fatalities.
Scientists traced the outbreak to African green monkeys imported from Uganda, and the virus has since been associated with other animal species.
The risk of human-to-human transmission is particularly heightened for those who have spent extended periods in caves or mines inhabited by bats.
* No Vaccine or Specific Treatment Available
Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the Marburg virus; however, supportive care, such as oral or intravenous rehydration and symptom management, can improve survival chances, according to AFP.
* Health Authorities Issue Warnings Amid Regional Spread
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has confirmed that the virus strain in Ethiopia is similar to those that have caused outbreaks in other East African countries. The ministry has implemented preventive measures in collaboration with international health organizations, including screening and monitoring activities.
Other countries have also faced the virus; Tanzania declared the end of a Marburg outbreak in mid-March 2025, which resulted in ten deaths, while Rwanda reported its first outbreak in late December 2024, leading to 15 fatalities.
Although less known than its relative Ebola, the Marburg virus was discovered about a decade earlier, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance from global health authorities.
