Health authorities in Ethiopia are investigating a possible outbreak of viral haemorrhagic fever after eight suspected cases were reported in the southern region, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday, November 13.
Laboratory tests are underway at the Public Health Institute to confirm the exact virus causing the illness.
Viral haemorrhagic fever is a severe condition that can affect multiple organs, weaken the body’s systems, and cause serious cardiovascular problems.
According to the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease belongs to a group of viruses known to cause epidemics, including Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever. Patients often experience extreme tiredness, dizziness, muscle pain, loss of strength, and exhaustion.
The Ethiopian government has intensified surveillance in the South region after the suspected cases were detected. WHO has sent a team to support the local health authorities in controlling the disease and to provide necessary medical equipment.
"WHO is also providing essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for health workers and infection-prevention supplies, as well as a rapidly deployable isolation tent to bolster clinical care and management capacity. Additional technical capacity is being mobilised to support the overall response," the agency stated.
In a bid to strengthen the response, WHO released Sh38 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to assist national authorities in handling the situation immediately.
The funds and supplies aim to enhance clinical care, reduce the risk of further infections, and protect healthcare workers involved in the response.
The organisation urged all individuals experiencing symptoms similar to those of viral haemorrhagic fever to report to health facilities without delay. Rapid reporting is considered critical to prevent the disease from spreading further and to ensure timely care for those affected.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have stepped up efforts to educate communities on recognizing symptoms and seeking medical help promptly.
WHO continues to coordinate with the Ethiopian government to ensure that all necessary resources are in place to contain the outbreak and safeguard public health.
