Marburg virus disease epidemic appears in southern Ethiopia.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement on the 15th confirming an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the Goldaka region of southern Ethiopia, as confirmed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. The statement said that as of November 14, local cases have been confirmed as Marburg virus disease cases. Currently, staff are conducting further epidemiological investigations and laboratory analyses, and the detected virus strain has similarities to strains previously found in East Africa. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and regional health departments have initiated response measures, including strengthening monitoring, conducting field investigations, and enhancing prevention and control efforts. The Africa CDC stated that its director, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, will meet with the Ethiopian Minister of Health to assess support needs and discuss strengthening cross-border response efforts with neighboring countries. On the 12th, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health reported the discovery of 8 suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever in the Goldaka region of southern Ethiopia. According to media reports, 6 people have died, including two healthcare workers. According to the World Health Organization, Marburg virus disease is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, with symptoms including high fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and bleeding. Current research suggests that the virus was originally transmitted to humans from its natural host, the Egyptian fruit bat, and can be transmitted through bodily contact and fluid contact.