Ethiopia has confirmed a deadly outbreak of Marburg virus in southern Ethiopia, marking another alarming health crisis in the region. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed that at least nine individuals have tested positive for the virus, with cases detected just two days after a suspected hemorrhagic virus was reported.
According to reports, the Marburg virus causes severe symptoms including bleeding, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, with an incubation period of 21 days. This highly contagious disease is also known to be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, carrying a fatality rate between 25% and 80%.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ethiopia, has issued confirmation on the outbreak, citing swift action by Ethiopian health authorities in containing the disease. The WHO is now working closely with Ethiopia to ensure an effective response to the outbreak and mitigate the risk of further transmission.
The Marburg virus epidemic poses a significant threat to regional health, given previous outbreaks in Tanzania and Rwanda, where 10 and 15 deaths were reported respectively. While there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for the virus, healthcare professionals are using oral rehydration and symptom-specific treatments to increase patients' chances of survival.
In a bid to combat the outbreak, Rwanda has been testing an experimental Marburg vaccine from the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute, with promising results last year. As the situation continues to unfold, authorities must remain vigilant in their efforts to contain this highly deadly virus and prevent it from spreading further across east Africa.
According to reports, the Marburg virus causes severe symptoms including bleeding, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, with an incubation period of 21 days. This highly contagious disease is also known to be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, carrying a fatality rate between 25% and 80%.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ethiopia, has issued confirmation on the outbreak, citing swift action by Ethiopian health authorities in containing the disease. The WHO is now working closely with Ethiopia to ensure an effective response to the outbreak and mitigate the risk of further transmission.
The Marburg virus epidemic poses a significant threat to regional health, given previous outbreaks in Tanzania and Rwanda, where 10 and 15 deaths were reported respectively. While there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for the virus, healthcare professionals are using oral rehydration and symptom-specific treatments to increase patients' chances of survival.
In a bid to combat the outbreak, Rwanda has been testing an experimental Marburg vaccine from the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute, with promising results last year. As the situation continues to unfold, authorities must remain vigilant in their efforts to contain this highly deadly virus and prevent it from spreading further across east Africa.
... I'm like, totally worried about these Marburg outbreaks in Africa, you know? They're so unpredictable and scary. I mean, the thought of being infected with something that's got a fatality rate of 25-80% is just, like, totally terrifying 
. And it's not just the people who get sick, but also their loved ones who have to deal with the emotional trauma 
.
. The WHO should be doing more to support these countries in containing outbreaks and finding cures. We can't just sit back and watch as people suffer 
. Someone needs to take action... or at least, someone with some resources 
!
! I'm like, totally not surprised tho 
. Marburg virus has been a thing for ages, right? It's always some African country or other having a crisis 
. What's with the incubation period of 21 days tho? That's just, like, forever 
. And don't even get me started on how it's transmitted through bodily fluids... eww 
This is so stressful, especially with the cases in Tanzania and Rwanda already being reported 
. Rwanda testing that experimental vaccine from last year was a good idea though, maybe they'll be able to find a solution 
. Just gotta stay vigilant, I guess 
.
like Rwanda did with that experimental vaccine last year 
. It's been around for a while now and it showed promise, so why not try it out ASAP? 
Plus, with 25-80% fatality rate, you can't afford to waste time 
. I know there's no approved treatment yet, but oral rehydration and symptom-specific treatments are just Band-Aids compared to a real vaccine 
. And honestly, I think the WHO should be pushing for more research funding to get this virus under control ASAP 
. Can't let it spread further like that... 
. And the fatality rate, 25-80%?! 
.
i'm so worried about the marburg virus it sounds super contagious & deadly 
21 days is like, forever 
maybe Rwanda's experimental vaccine will work too 
. And no approved vaccine or treatment yet? That's just devastating. I'm all for them trying to test that experimental vaccine from Rwanda, but we need to see some real action from WHO and the Ethiopian authorities ASAP 
. We can't keep sitting around while this thing spreads... we gotta do something! 
this is so not good 
how are they gonna handle this 
this is so scary 
we gotta keep an eye on this and wish the people in Ethiopia all the best 
i'm not surprised though, these viruses have been popping up left and right lately. 25-80% fatality rate? that's insane 
. hopefully it'll be available soon to help combat this outbreak. we need to keep an eye on the situation and support our african neighbors in their efforts to contain this virus 
like how can we even stop a disease that's so deadly ?! 
fingers crossed it works ASAP ! 
what can we do to help other than staying updated on the news ? 
i feel like we should be doing more to support africa in times of crisis 