Marburg virus disease- Ethiopia

Summary of the Ethiopia Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) Outbreak – As of January 26, 2026

Here’s a summary of the Ethiopia Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak, based on the provided text, as of January 26, 2026 (including information as of January 25th and some extending to January 26th):

Outbreak Declaration & End:

* Declared: November 14, 2025, following laboratory confirmation of cases in Jinka town, South Ethiopia Regional State. This was Ethiopia’s first reported MVD outbreak.
* Ended: January 26, 2026, after two consecutive 21-day incubation periods (42 days total) without new confirmed cases following the death and safe burial of the last confirmed case on December 14, 2025, in alignment with WHO recommendations.

Epidemiology (As of January 25, 2026):

* Confirmed Cases: 14
* Probable Cases: 5 (all deceased)
* Deaths: 9 (Confirmed) + 5 (Probable) = 14 Total Deaths
* Case Fatality Rate (CFR): 64.3%
* Affected Areas: Jinka, Malle, and Dasench woredas (South Ethiopia Region) & Hawassa (Sidama Region).
* Contacts Traced: 857 (760 from South Ethiopia,97 from Sidama) – all completed 21 days of follow-up.
* Samples Tested: 3800 (as of January 5, 2026)

Transmission:

* Initial transmission from fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) to humans.
* Human-to-human transmission through direct contact with bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, or infected materials.
* High risk for healthcare workers, caregivers, and those involved in burial practices without proper infection prevention and control.

Symptoms:

* Sudden onset: high fever, severe headache, malaise, muscle aches.
* Progressive gastrointestinal symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting.
* Severe cases: bleeding from multiple sites, shock, organ failure, and death (within a week of symptom onset).

Public Health Response:

* National Taskforce: Established at the Ministry of Health (MoH) for strategic guidance and resource mobilization.
* Response Plan: A costed three-month national response plan developed and launched.
* surveillance: Integrated surveillance at national and regional levels,including priority points of entry (PoEs) and points of control (PoCs),community surveillance,active case searching,and mortality surveillance.
* Treatment Centers: Two hospitals designated as treatment centres with dedicated healthcare workers.
* Laboratory Capacity: Strengthened, including a mobile laboratory deployed to Jinka.
* Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE): extensive activities to inform the public, address misinformation, and engage local communities.
* WHO Support: Provided technical, operational, and financial support, including:
* Policy and technical guidance.
* Emergency supplies (testing kits, VHF kits, treatment centre modules).
* Deployment of technical experts.
* Capacity building in surveillance, case management, and IPC.
* Support for transition planning and integration of MVD response into essential health services.
* Support for Survivors Program.

WHO Risk Assessment:

* First-ever MVD outbreak in Ethiopia.
* No additional cases reported during the 42-day countdown period.
* Risk of re-emergence remains due to potential spillover from the animal reservoir.
* Continued RCCE is crucial to provide accurate information, address concerns, and reduce stigma.

Marburg Virus Disease in Ethiopia: Current Outbreaks and Public Health Measures

Marburg Virus Disease in Ethiopia: A Thorough overview

Ethiopia has recently faced outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD), a highly virulent and ofen fatal illness. Understanding the specifics of these outbreaks, preventative measures, and current response efforts is crucial for public health. This article details the situation,focusing on the epidemiology,transmission,symptoms,diagnosis,treatment,and prevention strategies relevant to Ethiopia.

Recent Outbreaks & Epidemiology in Ethiopia

Ethiopia confirmed its first case of MVD in 2023, marking a significant public health concern. Subsequent cases were identified in the West Guji zone of the Oromia region. As of early 2026, sporadic cases continue to be reported, prompting ongoing surveillance and response activities.

* Initial 2023 Outbreak: The initial outbreak was linked to a cave frequented by bat populations,suggesting zoonotic transmission.

* Geographic Distribution: While initially concentrated in West Guji, monitoring efforts are expanded to neighboring regions due to potential for spread.

* Case Fatality rate: Historically, MVD has a high case fatality rate, ranging from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks. Ethiopian outbreaks have seen varying rates,highlighting the importance of early detection and supportive care.

* Affected Populations: Primarily affecting individuals with contact to infected persons or exposure to environments harboring the virus.

Understanding Marburg Virus Transmission

Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats,and then between people through direct contact with bodily fluids – blood,urine,saliva,sweat,feces,vomit,breast milk,and semen.

1. Zoonotic Origin: The natural reservoir of the virus is believed to be Rousettus aegyptiacus bats. Human infection begins with contact with these bats or their excreta.
2. Human-to-Human Transmission: this occurs through:

* Direct contact with infected individuals.

* Contact with contaminated surfaces or materials (e.g., bedding, clothing).

* Burial ceremonies involving direct contact with the deceased.

* Healthcare settings if proper infection control measures are not followed.

3. Incubation Period: The incubation period varies from 2 to 21 days. Individuals are not considered infectious until symptoms appear.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease

early symptoms of MVD can be subtle, making diagnosis challenging. recognizing these signs is vital for prompt medical attention.

* Initial Symptoms (frequently enough mimicking other febrile illnesses):

* Fever

* Severe headache

* Muscle aches

* Progressive Symptoms:

* Severe watery diarrhea

* Vomiting

* stomach pain

* Hemorrhaging (internal and external bleeding) – a hallmark symptom, though not always present.

* Jaundice

* Confusion, irritability, and seizures (in severe cases)

Diagnosis and Laboratory Confirmation

Accurate and rapid diagnosis is critical for effective outbreak control.

* Initial Assessment: Clinical presentation and travel history are crucial initial considerations.

* Laboratory Tests:

* Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR): Detects the virus’s genetic material in blood samples. This is the primary diagnostic method.

* Antigen Detection Tests: Can provide rapid results but may be less sensitive than RT-PCR.

* Antibody Detection: Useful for confirming past infection but less helpful in acute diagnosis.

* Sample Collection & Handling: Strict protocols are essential to prevent laboratory-acquired infections. Samples must be transported securely and handled by trained personnel.

Treatment Options & supportive Care

Currently, there is no specific cure for marburg virus disease. Treatment focuses on supportive care to manage symptoms and improve survival chances.

* Intensive Supportive Care:

* Rehydration with intravenous fluids.

* Maintaining oxygen levels.

* Managing bleeding complications with blood transfusions and clotting factors.

* Treating secondary infections.

* Experimental Therapies: Research is ongoing to develop specific antiviral treatments and immunotherapies. Some experimental therapies, like monoclonal antibody treatments, have shown promise in limited studies.

* Isolation & Quarantine: Strict isolation of infected individuals is crucial to prevent further transmission. Contact tracing and quarantine of exposed individuals are also essential.

Prevention Strategies in Ethiopia

Preventing MVD outbreaks requires a multi-faceted approach, focusing on community engagement, surveillance, and risk reduction.

* Community Education: Raising awareness about the disease, its transmission, and preventative measures. This includes promoting safe burial practices and avoiding contact with bats.

* Surveillance & Early Detection: Strengthening surveillance systems to rapidly identify and respond to suspected cases.

* Infection Prevention & Control (IPC): Implementing robust IPC measures in healthcare facilities, including:

* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers.

* Safe waste management.

* Isolation of suspected cases.

* Bat Population Management: Researching and implementing strategies to reduce human-bat contact, such as discouraging cave exploration and modifying agricultural practices.

* Vaccination: While no widely available MVD vaccine exists, research is underway to develop one. Ring vaccination strategies (vaccinating contacts of confirmed cases) may be considered in future outbreaks.

The Role of International Collaboration

Responding to MVD outbreaks requires strong international collaboration.