Ethiopia has officially declared an outbreak of the highly lethal Marburg virus in its southern region, as confirmed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Saturday. The virus, known for its severe hemorrhagic symptoms akin to Ebola, has already been detected in at least nine cases. The National Reference Laboratory in Ethiopia has verified the presence of the virus, with ongoing epidemiological investigations revealing similarities to strains previously identified in East Africa. The Marburg virus, transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, boasts a fatality rate ranging from 25% to 80%. It causes symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe bleeding, with an incubation period of up to 21 days. Ethiopian health authorities have swiftly mobilized to contain the outbreak in the Jinka area, collaborating with Africa CDC to mitigate the risk of further spread across East Africa. This development follows recent outbreaks in Tanzania and Rwanda, where the virus claimed 10 and 15 lives, respectively. While no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment exists, supportive care, including rehydration and symptom management, can improve survival rates. Notably, Rwanda recently trialed an experimental vaccine developed by the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute.