Addis Ababa | November 13, 2025
Health authorities in Ethiopia are intensifying investigations and response efforts following reports of a suspected viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreak in the South Ethiopia Region. The World Health Organization (WHO) has swiftly deployed an emergency response team and critical medical supplies to support national health officials in identifying the cause of the infection and preventing further spread.
So far, eight suspected cases have been detected. Laboratory testing is underway at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) to confirm the specific virus responsible.
Eight people, including a doctor and a nurse, have died in the suspected outbreak in Jinka town, South Omo Zone, local news outlet Addis Insight reported on Thursday.
Selamu Tadesse, medical director of Jinka General Hospital, said the two health workers who died had been treating patients with similar symptoms, highlighting the risk of transmission through close patient contact.
The WHO team of 11 experts will help bolster surveillance, testing, infection control, and clinical care efforts in response to the suspected outbreak, a WHO statement said on Thursday.
Ethiopian health authorities are investigating and scaling up their response after suspected cases in the South Ethiopia Region, with laboratory testing underway at the Ethiopia Public Health Institute to determine the cause, it said.
To strengthen the response, WHO has dispatched a multi-disciplinary team of 11 technical officers experienced in handling viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks. Their work includes enhancing disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control (IPC), clinical management, and community engagement.
Essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers, infection-control materials, and a rapidly deployable isolation tent, are being provided to boost Ethiopia’s clinical readiness. WHO has also allocated US$ 300,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to offer immediate financial support for the response.
Viral haemorrhagic fevers are a group of highly infectious and epidemic-prone diseases caused by several virus families, including Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. These diseases can spread rapidly and cause severe illness, making early detection and containment essential.
Common symptoms include sudden high fever, fatigue, muscle pain, dizziness, and exhaustion. In severe cases, patients may experience bleeding, organ failure, and even death if not treated promptly. Health authorities urge that any suspected or clustered cases of acute viral haemorrhagic fever should be reported immediately, even before laboratory confirmation.
Ethiopia’s proactive response, combined with WHO’s technical and financial support, highlights the importance of rapid outbreak investigation, public health preparedness, and regional collaboration in preventing widespread transmission.