Ethiopia on Monday (November 17) confirmed three deaths from the Marburg hemorrhagic virus that has been detected in an area neighbouring South Sudan.

Health Minister Mekdes Daba said Ethiopia's government, which declared a Marburg outbreak on Friday, had conducted tests in 17 suspected cases in the country's south. The outbreak was reported in the Omo region.

What we know about Marburg virus

♦ Virus originates in fruit bats and spreads through fluids

♦ Symptoms include fever, diarrhoea and severe bleeding

♦ Fatality rate ranges from 24% to 88%

♦ No approved vaccine or treatment available

The minister said there were no active cases but the government was taking preventive measures. A team from the WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has been dispatch

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