The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has confirmed that three of the six individuals who died after exhibiting symptoms of Marburg virus in Jinka town succumbed to the disease. The ministry stated that there are currently no active confirmed cases of #Marburg_virus in the country.

During a press briefing held today, Health Minister Dr. Meqdes Daba reported that 17 suspected cases have been tested, resulting in three confirmed deaths. She added that an additional three individuals who showed symptoms but were not confirmed through testing have also died.

Dr. Meqdes noted that 129 individuals who had contact with the suspected cases have been placed in isolation and are under close observation. “At present, there are no patients infected with the virus receiving treatment in medical facilities,” she said. However, she emphasized that laboratory testing is ongoing for individuals displaying symptoms, with samples being collected and processed. Families of suspected cases are being kept informed throughout the process.

According to a report by the BBC, six people—including two healthcare workers—have died from suspected hemorrhagic fever in Jinka, located in the South Omo Zone of the Southern Ethiopian Region.

In response to the suspected outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on November 13 that it has deployed an emergency response team and medical supplies to assist Ethiopian health authorities. The organization has allocated $300,000 to support rapid containment and treatment efforts.

On November 14, the Ministry of Health confirmed that genetic testing conducted by the National Reference Laboratory of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute identified the cause of the outbreak in Jinka as Marburg virus.