Ethiopia has confirmed three deaths from the Marburg virus in the Omo region, near the border with South Sudan. Health Minister Mekdes Daba announced the fatalities on Monday, days after the government declared an outbreak of the haemorrhagic disease. Laboratory tests confirmed the deaths, while three additional suspected deaths are under investigation.
Authorities have isolated 129 people who had contact with confirmed cases, and South Sudan has issued advisories urging residents in border counties to avoid contact with bodily fluids. The virus, which causes symptoms including severe fever, headaches and vomiting, can lead to internal and external bleeding in advanced stages.
Officials first detected the virus in the Jinka area last Wednesday after testing 17 people, confirming at least nine infections. The government has activated emergency response centres and deployed rapid response teams to affected communities. International teams from the World Health Organization and Africa CDC have also arrived to support containment efforts.
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The health ministry says Ethiopia now has in-country laboratory capacity to test for Marburg, reducing dependence on external diagnostics.
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