The Ethiopia Ministry of Health reported the following update on the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak today:
No new confirmed cases or deaths that day but one additional recovery, bringing totals to 14 confirmed cases, 9 deaths, and 5 recoveries out of 1,843 investigations.
The outbreak, the country’s first declared in late November 2025, has a 64% case fatality rate based on WHO and CDC data, with cases concentrated in Oromia region; no critically ill patients remain, signaling potential stabilization amid active contact tracing of over 300 individuals.,
Ethiopia’s response includes daily public reporting, monoclonal antibody trials started December 8, and international support from CDC and WHO, emphasizing early detection and isolation to curb transmission from fruit bats or infected humans.
The Africa CDC offers the following information on MVD:
WHAT IS MARBURG?
Marburg virus disease (MVD), formerly known as Marburg Hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. Nine out of 10 people infected with the virus will die without treatment. Survival rates increase with early treatment at a treatment center.
HOW DOES MARBURG SPREAD?
From animals to humans
The Marburg virus disease is passed to humans from infected fruit bats, often found in mines or caves. It can also be transmitted through contact with wild animals.
From humans to humans
– Through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids (such as vomit, saliva, urine and semen) from a person sick with Marburg virus disease
– Through contact with contaminated surfaces or materials like bedding, clothing or medical equipment used by a person who is sick with Marburg virus disease
– When handling the body of someone who has died from Marburg virus disease
– From mother to child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
Those most at risk are caregivers – including family members, burial teams, community members and healthcare workers who have close contact with an infected person without proper protective equipment.
What are the common symptoms?
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Sudden high fever, chills, severe headache, severe tiredness, muscle aches and pains.
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Around the fifth day after the onset of symptoms, a non itchy rash, most prominent on the trunk (chest, back, stomach), may occur.
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Nausea, vomiting, chest pains, a sore throat, abdominal pain and watery diarrhoea that may contain blood may then appear.
Symptoms become increasingly severe and can include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure and multi-organ dysfunction.
