Ethiopia has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease.

The World Health Organisation announced the development on Friday after laboratory tests detected the virus in samples from suspected cases in the South Ethiopia Region.

Health officials said the cluster raised concern earlier in the week, and further tests revealed that the Marburg virus was present.

WHO explained that genetic analysis carried out by the Ethiopia Public Health Institute showed that the new strain matches those found in previous East African outbreaks.

This finding helped health authorities trace the possible origin of the infection. It also signalled that the current outbreak fits the pattern seen in neighbouring countries over the years.

Marburg virus disease is rare but extremely severe. Experts warn that the infection spreads quickly once it enters a community.

The virus moves from animals to humans through fruit bats. It then spreads between people through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Because of this, outbreaks often grow fast when early control measures are weak.

Early symptoms include high fever, severe headache and muscle pain. Patients usually experience extreme fatigue within hours.

Although symptoms may appear mild at first, many victims begin to bleed within days of infection.

This bleeding may occur from the gums, nose, and other parts of the body. Doctors say this phase marks the most dangerous period for patients.

Marburg virus belongs to the same family of pathogens that cause Ebola. Both diseases have similar symptoms and similar fatality rates.

However, no approved vaccine or treatment exists for Marburg virus yet. Several medical products remain in clinical trials, but none has received global clearance.

Still, early supportive care improves survival.

Doctors rely heavily on rehydration, pain management and close monitoring to stabilize patients.

WHO confirmed that nine cases have been detected so far in Jinka town in the South Ethiopia Region.

National health authorities launched a massive response after the confirmation.

They intensified community screening, isolating suspected cases and tracing people who had contact with confirmed patients. They also began public sensitisation campaigns to slow the spread.

The agency said Ethiopia’s government is working closely with international partners.

A multidisciplinary team with expertise in viral haemorrhagic fevers has been deployed.

The team arrived with medical supplies and equipment to strengthen local response efforts.

WHO and its partners emphasised that their priority is to contain the outbreak quickly and prevent further transmission.

Past outbreaks have been recorded in Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because of this history, experts fear that the virus may move across borders if the outbreak grows unchecked.

Health officials therefore urged communities to report symptoms early and avoid physical contact with sick individuals.

Although the situation remains tense, authorities say their response teams are working around the clock. They also promised transparent updates as more information becomes available.

The Federal Government has announced plans to raise nearly $150 billion to fund vaccine procurement and distribution across Nigeria for the years 2025 and 2026.

(DDM) – The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Health Sector held in Abuja.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the review was themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.” The annual event brought together health stakeholders, government officials, and development partners to assess progress and align national priorities in the sector.

Edun emphasized that the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing life-saving vaccines and other critical health interventions.

He explained that the $150 billion funding would cover vaccine acquisition, logistics for distribution, and system-strengthening initiatives designed to boost immunization coverage across all regions of the country.

“Nigeria is seeking to raise nearly $150 billion to fund vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026. This investment is essential to protect our citizens, particularly children and vulnerable groups, from preventable diseases,” the minister stated.

Edun reaffirmed that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes universal healthcare access and affordability.

According to him, the government is determined to collaborate with both local and international partners to achieve comprehensive vaccine availability and improve the resilience of Nigeria’s public health system.

He stressed that transparency and collaboration remain vital to closing financing gaps in the sector. “Government agencies, private sector partners, and donor organizations must work together to ensure the sustainability of our healthcare financing reforms,” Edun said.

The minister also highlighted that the vaccine procurement initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s health architecture through investments in primary healthcare, infrastructure development, and workforce capacity building.

Stakeholders at the event, including representatives of development agencies and civil society organizations, commended the government’s renewed focus on vaccine equity and health financing reforms.

They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigeria’s health security goals and ensuring that vaccines reach every community, regardless of geography or income level.

The Joint Annual Review (JAR), established as an accountability platform for Nigeria’s health sector, plays a key role in evaluating policy implementation, identifying gaps, and setting future targets for national health improvement.

This year’s session also featured presentations on healthcare financing, disease prevention, immunization coverage, and digital health expansion, reflecting Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernize its healthcare delivery system

Observers noted that the proposed $150 billion vaccine funding could mark one of the most ambitious health financing drives in Nigeria’s recent history, potentially transforming public health outcomes and reducing preventable disease burdens nationwide.

If implemented successfully, experts believe the initiative could significantly advance the country’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has renewed his call for a total overhaul of Nigeria’s healthcare system, describing it as one of the country’s most neglected yet essential sectors.

Obi made this appeal on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the College of Nursing, Oluyoro Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, where he met with staff and students of the institution.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the former Anambra State governor emphasized the urgent need for structural reforms to rebuild the nation’s health sector, citing years of inadequate investment, decaying infrastructure, and the alarming rate of medical brain drain as major obstacles to progress.

He lamented that persistent government neglect has deepened poverty, widened inequality, and destroyed citizens’ confidence in public institutions meant to protect their health and well-being.

“You cannot talk about economic growth when your people are not healthy,” Obi said.

“A productive nation is one where its citizens have access to quality healthcare, where hospitals function effectively, and where medical workers are adequately motivated,” he stressed.

The Labour Party flag bearer stated that meaningful economic development cannot be achieved without prioritising the health and education of citizens, adding that Nigeria’s misplaced priorities over the years have hindered real progress.

“We have spent years celebrating the wrong things,” Obi declared.

“When we invest in people, especially in the health and education sectors, we are building the true foundation for national development,” he added.

Obi urged the federal government to adopt comprehensive policy reforms aimed at retaining skilled medical professionals and making Nigerian hospitals attractive workplaces instead of transit points for those seeking to relocate abroad.

“Government should see healthcare as a security issue because a sick nation cannot defend itself or compete globally,” he said.

As part of his ongoing contributions to strengthening health and education, Obi announced a ₦10 million donation to the College of Nursing, Oluyoro Catholic Hospital to support facility upgrades and enhance the training of nurses.

“This ₦10 million donation is not about politics,” he explained.

“I have been going around the country contributing to educational and health institutions because these are the foundations upon which national development is built,” he added.

The former governor said his interventions were driven by a personal conviction to give back to society and inspire other privileged Nigerians to support schools and hospitals.

“If every privileged Nigerian supports a school, a hospital, or a training institution, our country will be in a far better state than it is today,” he remarked.

He also urged leaders at all levels of government to adopt sustainable long-term policies in the health sector rather than short-term political gestures that fail to produce lasting results.

“What we need is consistency in policy, not politics,” Obi emphasized.

“Healthcare planning should not end with a change of government. We must see it as a continuous national project,” he added.

Obi reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to advocating reforms that place citizens’ welfare at the centre of governance and national development, stressing that Nigeria’s progress depends on the health and productivity of its people.