Marburg outbreak Ethiopia: The death toll from the Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia has risen to six, the country’s health ministry has confirmed, according to state media.
Ethiopia first declared the outbreak on November 14, and three deaths were reported shortly afterwards. Authorities now say that 11 people have tested positive for the virus, of whom six have died and five remain under medical care, the Ethiopian Press Agency said in a statement posted on its Facebook page, citing the ministry.
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Health officials have identified 349 contacts of confirmed or suspected cases. Of these, 119 people have completed their monitoring period and been released, while surveillance continues for the remaining contacts as part of efforts to contain the spread.
Marburg, a highly infectious haemorrhagic fever from the same family as Ebola, typically begins with sudden fever, severe headache and muscle pain, and can progress to vomiting, diarrhoea and internal or external bleeding. Previous outbreaks in Africa have recorded fatality rates of up to 80% or more within about a week of symptom onset.
The virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and spreads between humans through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials such as soiled bedding. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Marburg, and care is focused on supportive measures such as rehydration and management of symptoms.