Ethiopia probes suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Southern Region
Eight people, including health workers, have reportedly fallen ill.
Ethiopian health authorities are investigating a suspected outbreak of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) in the country’s Southern Region, where eight people, including health workers, have reportedly fallen ill.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working closely with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and regional health authorities to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
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Viral haemorrhagic fevers are highly infectious diseases that can be life-threatening, making rapid detection and containment critical.
In a statement, WHO emphasised the importance of rapid action in suspected VHF cases.
“All cases of acute viral haemorrhagic fever syndrome, whether single or in clusters, should be immediately notified without waiting for the causal agent to be identified,” the organisation said.
Viral haemorrhagic fevers are a group of epidemic-prone diseases caused by several distinct families of viruses, including Ebola and Marburg virus diseases, Lassa fever, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Symptoms vary by type but often include marked fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches, weakness, and exhaustion.
WHO has deployed a multi-disciplinary team of 11 technical experts to the affected towns to assist with outbreak investigation, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, and community engagement.
Essential medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers have been sent to support patient care and reduce the risk of further transmission.
Laboratory samples from the suspected cases have been sent for testing at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute to determine the exact cause of infection.
To provide immediate support, US$300,000 (approximately Sh38.7 million) has been released from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies.
WHO offices in Ethiopia and neighbouring South Sudan are collaborating closely to prevent potential cross‑border transmission and are ready to scale up support as needed.
"WHO is ready to scale up support, as and when needed. I commend Ethiopian health authorities for their timely sharing of information and quick response and offer WHO's full support," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation.
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