The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has reported suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever in the South Ethiopia Region. Health authorities are conducting further investigations and scaling up response measures to contain potential spread.
So far, eight suspected cases have been identified. Laboratory testing is ongoing at the Ethiopia Public Health Institute to confirm the cause of the infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the national response by deploying a multi-disciplinary team of 11 technical experts experienced in managing viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks. The team is assisting with disease surveillance, investigation, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, outbreak coordination, and community engagement.
WHO is also providing essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for health workers, infection-prevention materials, and a rapidly deployable isolation tent to strengthen clinical care. Additionally, US$ 300,000 has been released from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support immediate response activities.
Viral haemorrhagic fevers include several epidemic-prone diseases such as Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Initial symptoms often include fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches, and weakness. Health authorities emphasize that all suspected cases of acute viral haemorrhagic fever should be reported immediately, even before the causal agent is confirmed.
THRI continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.