By Jones Anlimah
The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), says it is closely monitoring developments in Ethiopia following the confirmation of a Marburg Virus Disease outbreak in that country.
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute notified the World Health Organization of the outbreak on 14th November 2025, confirming nine cases and three deaths.
Given the frequent travel between Ghana and Ethiopia, the Ministry of Health says precautionary steps have been activated to protect the Ghanaian public.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the following measures have been instituted:
- Heightened surveillance at all points of entry
- Alert notices issued to all regions and health facilities
- Activation of public health emergency response structures
- Collaboration with One Health partners, including the Veterinary Services Directorate and the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission
About the Disease
Marburg Virus Disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted from animals to humans and between humans. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, and although treatment is mainly supportive, the disease currently has no approved vaccine.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Bleeding from the gums
- Bleeding under the skin
- Bleeding into the eyes
- Bloody urine
The Ghana Health Service is urging the public to take note of these symptoms and report immediately to the nearest health facility if they occur.
Citizens are also advised to adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures such as:
- Regular handwashing with soap under running water or the use of alcohol-based hand rubs
- Avoiding direct contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms
- Avoiding contact with animals exhibiting signs of bleeding
The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service assure the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to safeguard public health.
The statement adds that the Service will continue to update the public as the situation evolves.
