Ethiopia confirms first outbreak of Marburg virus disease

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the South Ethiopia Region, the first of its kind in the country, following laboratory testing of samples from a cluster of suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever.

Genetic analysis by the Ethiopia Public Health Institute revealed that the virus is of the same strain as the one that has been reported in previous outbreaks in other countries in East Africa. A total of nine cases have been reported in the outbreak that has affected Jinka town in the South Ethiopia Region.

The national authorities are scaling up response including community-wide screening, isolation of cases, treatment, contact tracing and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the Marburg virus, which is in the same family of viruses that cause Ebola virus disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are supporting the government as it intensifies response to halt the spread of the virus and end the outbreak. A team of responders with expertise in viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak response has been deployed along with medical supplies and equipment.

Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness caused by the Marburg virus. The disease is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads among people through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials.

Initial symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Many patients develop severe bleeding within a week of onset. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed therapeutic or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to supportive treatment and care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.

In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

Key points

• Ethiopia is experiencing its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (Marburg) in the South Ethiopia Regional State (formerly SNNPR). Cases have been reported in Jinka Town (see map).
• Local health authorities in Ethiopia are working to identify people infected with Marburg and how the virus is spreading, taking action to prevent further transmission, and educating communities and the public about the risks and dangers of Marburg.
• If you travel to Ethiopia, you should:
  • Review Health Information for Travelers to Ethiopia to find out about routine precautions travelers should take when traveling to Ethiopia.
  • Consider getting travel insurance before you travel, including health and medical evacuation insurance, to cover yourself in case of delays, injuries, or illnesses that may occur on your trip.
  • Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
  • Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids from other people.
  • Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, including when attending or participating in a funeral or burial ritual.
  • Avoid contact with fruit bats or entering the caves and mines where they live.
  • Avoid contact with nonhuman primates (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas).
• Watch your health for symptoms of Marburg while in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving. If you develop fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness):
  • Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
  • Do not travel.
  • Contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice. Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility staff prepare for your arrival, including contacting health authorities and taking any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients.