What do you know about the Marburg virus that has appeared in Ethiopia?
The World Health Organization announced last Saturday that nine potential cases of the Marburg virus have been recorded in Ethiopia, confirming its full support for the Ethiopian authorities in efforts to contain the disease, treat the infected, and prevent its spread outside the country.
The Marburg virus is considered one of the most dangerous pathogens ever, causing a disease that is often fatal, characterized by severe symptoms including high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, and internal bleeding that may occur within a week of infection.
* A rare virus originating from bats
Like the Ebola virus, the Marburg virus originates in bats and is transmitted among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces such as bed linens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The virus was first identified in 1967 in laboratories in the German city of Marburg, following simultaneous outbreaks in Germany and Belgrade, where 31 people were infected during research on monkeys, seven of whom died.
Scientists attributed the outbreak to African green monkeys imported from Uganda, before the virus was later linked to other animals.
The risk of transmission among humans increases, especially for those who have spent long periods in caves and mines inhabited by bats.
* No vaccine or treatment... only supportive care
So far, there is no specific vaccine or treatment for the Marburg virus, but supportive care, such as oral or intravenous rehydration and symptom management, may increase survival chances, according to "France Press".
* Warnings from authorities and regional spread
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health confirmed that the virus in Ethiopia belongs to a strain similar to those that caused outbreaks in other East African countries, noting that preventive measures are being taken in cooperation with international health organizations, and screening and monitoring activities are being implemented.
Other countries have previously faced the virus;
Tanzania announced in mid-March 2025 the end of a Marburg outbreak that claimed the lives of 10 people, while Rwanda recorded its first outbreak of this kind at the end of December 2024, resulting in the deaths of 15 people.
Although the Marburg virus is less well-known than its relative Ebola, scientists discovered it about a decade before the Ebola virus, making it one of the most dangerous viruses that require continuous vigilance from global health authorities.
