Ethiopia Confirms First Marburg Outbreak, WHO Releases Funds and Deploys Team

Overview

• Ethiopia reported nine Marburg cases in its southern region, including infections among health-care workers.
• The Health Ministry says patients are isolated and receiving supportive treatment as officials identify contacts and urge symptomatic people to seek care.
• WHO disbursed US$300,000 from its emergency contingency fund and sent an initial response team to support containment.
• WHO and Africa CDC praised Ethiopia’s rapid, transparent response to the newly confirmed outbreak.
• Marburg is a filovirus related to Ebola that spreads via contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials, with no approved vaccine or specific cure.