Officially, Ethiopia declares the end of the deadly Marburg virus outbreak

Ethiopian health authorities have officially declared the end of the Marburg virus outbreak in the country, following a standard 42-day monitoring period without any new cases. This announcement brings to a close the anxiety that gripped the southern regions of the country in recent weeks and represents a success for the containment efforts undertaken by medical teams.

Official announcement details

Ethiopian Parliament Speaker Tagesse Chafo and Health Minister Mekudsi Daba issued a joint statement confirming that Ethiopia is now completely free of the highly contagious virus. This confirmation came after the completion of two full incubation periods (21 days per period), the international standard adopted by the World Health Organization for declaring the end of outbreaks of hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg.

Background of the outbreak and human losses

The origins of this outbreak date back to mid-November, when authorities in Addis Ababa confirmed that the spread of the virus in southern Ethiopia had reached epidemic levels. This deadly virus has caused at least nine deaths, prompting a widespread health mobilization to contain the infected areas and prevent the virus from spreading to other regions or neighboring countries.

What is the Marburg virus?

Marburg virus is classified within the Filoviridae family, the same family as the well-known Ebola virus. The virus is characterized by the following features:

• Transmission methods: The virus is initially transmitted to humans by bats (fruit bats), and then spreads among humans through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person or contaminated surfaces.
• Symptoms: It causes severe hemorrhagic fever, starting with severe headache and malaise, and progressing to severe bleeding and organ failure.
• Mortality rate: It is considered a high-risk virus, with mortality rates in previous outbreaks ranging from 24% to 88%, and sometimes reaching 90% depending on the quality of healthcare provided.

Regional and international importance of the declaration

Ethiopia's declaration of the end of the pandemic carries significant implications that extend beyond local borders:

• On the local level: it means a return to normalcy in the affected areas and easing the pressure on the Ethiopian health system.
• At the regional level: It removes concerns about cross-border transmission, especially in the heavily trafficked Horn of Africa region, thus enhancing regional health security.
• At the international level: It confirms the effectiveness of monitoring and rapid response programs supported by international organizations in controlling deadly epidemics before they turn into global pandemics.

Despite the announcement that the outbreak has ended, health authorities continue to urge caution and adherence to public hygiene standards, while routine monitoring continues to ensure that no new outbreaks occur in the future.