Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA (EI) : The Ethiopian Ministry of Health on Thursday announced two more confirmed Marburg virus disease, bringing the total cases to six.
In its daily update on the Marburg virus disease outbreak, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health announced on Thursday evening that two more cases have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to six. The death toll currently stands at three, resulting in a case fatality rate of 50 percent.
The outbreak was first identified last week when the ministry confirmed cases in Jinka town, located in southern Ethiopia, following laboratory tests on samples taken from a cluster of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases.
Earlier this week, Ethiopian Minister of Health Mekdes Daba told a press briefing that while six individuals exhibiting symptoms of the virus have died, laboratory confirmation has only been achieved for three cases thus far.
The health minister emphasized that coordinated efforts are underway to identify and isolate individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
The ongoing outbreak marks the first recorded instance of Marburg virus disease in Ethiopia’s recorded history.
The Marburg virus is a highly infectious pathogen known for its high fatality rate by causing hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms typically manifest within a week of exposure and include high fever and severe headache. The virus is part of the same family as Ebola, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
