Ministry of Health Issues Advisory Following Marburg Virus Outbreak in Ethiopia

Ministry of Health Issues Advisory Following Marburg Virus Outbreak in Ethiopia

Nairobi, Kenya – The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent advisory to county governments and the public after Ethiopia confirmed an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), raising concerns about cross-border transmission risks.

On November 14, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health reported nine confirmed cases in Jinka Town, South Ethiopia Region. The announcement prompted Kenya’s National Public Health Institute (NPHI) to heighten preparedness measures, citing strong travel, trade, and migration ties between the two countries.

NPHI Director General Kamene Kimenye emphasized the seriousness of the outbreak, noting that Kenya’s proximity to Ethiopia makes vigilance essential.

“In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda,” Kimenye said in a statement on Tuesday, November 18.

She further explained that Marburg virus belongs to the same family as Ebola, transmitted to humans through fruit bats and spread via direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials.

“There is currently no approved therapy or vaccine for the effective management or prevention of the disease,” she added.

Advisory to County Governments

County governments have been directed to intensify surveillance at health facilities, communities, and border points. Measures include screening travelers, active case finding, and reporting suspected cases through national disease monitoring platforms.

The advisory also urged counties to designate isolation facilities and ensure they are functional, while hospitals must establish clear referral pathways to guarantee safe transfer of patients to treatment units.

“Counties should identify and designate isolation facilities, ensure they are functional, and train healthcare workers on MVD recognition, triage, supportive management, and referral procedures,” the statement read.

Additionally, counties were instructed to enforce strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, safe waste disposal, and environmental disinfection.

“Counties should prepare staff to safely collect, package, and transport specimens from suspected cases under strict biosafety protocols. Coordination with the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) should be ensured for rapid confirmation and timely case management,” the advisory added.

Local leaders, community health promoters, and trusted communication channels were also tasked with disseminating accurate information on symptoms, prevention, and early reporting to enhance public awareness.

Advisory to the General Public

The Ministry urged Kenyans to avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of suspected or confirmed MVD patients, including blood, vomit, and urine. Frequent handwashing, especially after contact with sick individuals or contaminated items, was strongly recommended.

The advisory also highlighted the importance of safe burial practices for individuals who die from MVD, stressing that improper handling of bodies could accelerate transmission.

Furthermore, the public was warned against handling or consuming bushmeat, particularly bats and monkeys, which are known reservoirs of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) pathogens, including Marburg virus.

Conclusion

The Ministry’s advisory underscores Kenya’s proactive stance in safeguarding public health amid regional outbreaks. With Ethiopia battling confirmed cases, Kenyan authorities are reinforcing surveillance, preparedness, and public awareness to minimize risks of cross-border transmission.

As the situation evolves, health officials continue to urge vigilance, emphasizing that early detection, strict adherence to IPC measures, and community cooperation remain critical in preventing the spread of Marburg Virus Disease.

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Ministry of Health Issues Advisory Following Marburg Virus Outbreak in Ethiopia