Kenya has heightened its health alert after Ethiopia reported three deaths linked to Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) announced on Tuesday.
Marburg virus disease, formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a highly infectious viral hemorrhagic fever that affects both humans and non-human primates.
The illness is caused by the Marburg virus or Ravn virus and presents symptoms similar to Ebola virus disease, including high fever, severe headache, and muscle pain.
Although Kenya has not yet reported any cases, the KNPHI warned that significant cross-border movement from Ethiopia through airports and land routes poses a high risk of virus importation.
“Given the high case fatality rate of MVD, counties are urged to strengthen measures to safeguard public health,” the institute stated.
“Health workers should be trained on viral hemorrhagic fever case definitions, and surveillance must be reinforced at points of entry, health facilities, and within communities to quickly detect and report suspected cases.”
The alert comes after Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health confirmed the first-ever Marburg virus outbreak in Jinka, southern Ethiopia. Previous MVD outbreaks in Africa have occurred in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The World Health Organization classifies Marburg virus as a highly infectious pathogen with a high fatality rate.
Symptoms typically appear within seven days of exposure and can progress rapidly, emphasizing the need for early detection and strict containment measures.
Kenya’s health authorities are now closely monitoring travelers from Ethiopia and reinforcing preparedness measures to prevent any potential spread of the virus within the country.
