Kenya has heightened its health alert after Ethiopia reported three deaths linked to Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) said Tuesday.
Marburg virus disease, formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a highly infectious viral illness that affects humans and non-human primates. It is caused by the Marburg virus or Ravn virus and presents symptoms similar to Ebola, including high fever, severe headache and muscle pain.
Although Kenya has not recorded any cases, KNPHI warned that heavy cross-border movement from Ethiopia through airports and land routes poses a significant risk of importation.
“Given the high case fatality rate of MVD, counties are urged to strengthen measures to safeguard public health,” the institute said.
“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,” it added.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health confirmed the first-ever Marburg outbreak in Jinka, southern Ethiopia. Previous MVD outbreaks 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 as a highly infectious pathogen with a high fatality rate. Symptoms typically appear within seven days of exposure and can progress quickly, underscoring the need for early detection and strict containment.
Kenyan health authorities said they are closely monitoring travelers from Ethiopia and reinforcing preparedness measures to prevent any potential spread of the virus in the country.
