Ethiopia has confirmed a deadly outbreak of Marburg virus in southern regions, according to reports from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The highly infectious pathogen, similar to Ebola, causes severe symptoms including bleeding, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, with an incubation period of 21 days.
Transmission of the virus occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids. Unfortunately, the fatality rate stands at a staggering 25-80%, making it one of the most deadly known pathogens.
A recent confirmation by Ethiopia's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus comes two days after Africa CDC alerted to a suspected haemorrhagic fever in southern regions. The National Reference Laboratory has since identified Marburg virus disease, prompting swift action from Ethiopian health authorities to contain the outbreak.
Investigations are currently underway to further understand the strain of the virus detected in Jinka area, with similarities observed to previously identified cases in east Africa. Rwanda's experience with a Marburg epidemic in December 2024 is mentioned as an example of successful containment.
However, Ethiopia and global health authorities are facing the challenge of addressing the outbreak without an approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for the virus. In such cases, administering oral or intravenous rehydration, along with targeted symptom treatment, significantly increases patients' chances of survival.
Rwanda recently conducted trials on an experimental Marburg vaccine, a promising development in the fight against this deadly pathogen.
Transmission of the virus occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids. Unfortunately, the fatality rate stands at a staggering 25-80%, making it one of the most deadly known pathogens.
A recent confirmation by Ethiopia's Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus comes two days after Africa CDC alerted to a suspected haemorrhagic fever in southern regions. The National Reference Laboratory has since identified Marburg virus disease, prompting swift action from Ethiopian health authorities to contain the outbreak.
Investigations are currently underway to further understand the strain of the virus detected in Jinka area, with similarities observed to previously identified cases in east Africa. Rwanda's experience with a Marburg epidemic in December 2024 is mentioned as an example of successful containment.
However, Ethiopia and global health authorities are facing the challenge of addressing the outbreak without an approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for the virus. In such cases, administering oral or intravenous rehydration, along with targeted symptom treatment, significantly increases patients' chances of survival.
Rwanda recently conducted trials on an experimental Marburg vaccine, a promising development in the fight against this deadly pathogen.
I'm really worried about this Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia 
. It's like, super scary because it can be so deadly - 25-80% fatality rate is crazy high! 
The fact that it's highly infectious and causes severe symptoms like bleeding and fever makes me want to stay far away from southern regions 
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. It's not looking good with no approved vaccine or treatment yet 
. At least the fact that rehydration and symptom treatment can help increase survival chances is a silver lining 
. We really need to support global health efforts to develop more treatments for this virus! 
. A 25-80% fatality rate is crazy and it's not like they have a lot of resources to deal with it yet. I wish Rwanda could help them more, maybe share some of their vaccine trial knowledge or something 
. And what about the lack of antiviral treatment? It's so frustrating because we know how effective rehydration can be in treating symptoms, but without an actual cure... ugh, I just want to help these people and feel like we're doing something 
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. Fatality rate is insane 25-80% 
. I'm not surprised though, Marburg virus is like a super villain in the world of diseases 
. Rwanda's experience with the vaccine trials gives me some hope tho 
.
21 days incubation period is like forever right? and that fatality rate of 25-80% is just devastating 
i remember when ebola broke out a few years back, it was like the world held its breath watching that one unfold 
what's even more alarming is there's no approved vaccine or treatment for this marburg virus 
Rwanda did some trial runs with an experimental vaccine tho, thats a step in the right direction 
! I mean, 25-80% fatality rate? That's crazy 
! I feel so bad for all those people affected by it. The fact that there's no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment makes it even harder to deal with 
. We need more research and support to help these patients survive! 
Let's keep our fingers crossed for a speedy recovery 
It's always a good thing when Rwanda shares their knowledge and tried an experimental vaccine, maybe it can help us find a solution here too 
. When can we expect an approved vaccine or treatment for this thing? Rwanda's experimental vaccine trial sounds promising, but when will it be available to other countries 
? And what about the incubation period of 21 days? How do people even know they're infected before symptoms show up? 
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. but i do see some glimmer of hope with that experimental marburg vaccine trial in rwanda... maybe we'll get there someday soon and be able to protect ourselves from this deadly pathogen 
just saw that Ethiopia's got another deadly virus outbreak 
that's not exactly reassuring... did Rwanda really just conduct trials on an experimental Marburg vaccine? 
sources, anyone? 