Translated with AI
Three deaths caused by the Marburg virus have been confirmed in Ethiopia, Euronews reports .
According to authorities, the virus outbreak has been registered in the southern Omo region of the country. The Ethiopian government announced the outbreak on November 14 and tested 17 suspected cases.
There are currently no active cases, but authorities continue to take preventative measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Marburg virus belongs to a group of viral hemorrhagic fevers and can be fatal for up to 88% of those infected if left untreated. The disease is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids of infected people, including blood, saliva, and urine, as well as through contaminated objects and surfaces. Infection often occurs from wild animals, particularly bats.
The virus's initial symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. Chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may develop later, and a non-itchy rash develops in some patients within 2–7 days. In severe cases, massive bleeding occurs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), death usually occurs within 8–9 days of the onset of the disease.
There is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg virus. Patients receive only supportive care.
Previously, outbreaks and isolated cases of Marburg virus have been reported in Rwanda, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana. According to the WHO, outbreaks are rare but pose a serious threat to public health.
South Sudan's Ministry of Health also issued recommendations for residents in four counties, including frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with bodily fluids, to prevent the spread of the Marburg virus.
