The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has announced that it will strengthen its broad support to Ethiopia’s health response efforts, including the fight against Marburg virus.

The Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) have released a press statement containing updated information regarding the Marburg virus disease.

They stated that laboratory tests have confirmed the occurrence of Marburg virus disease in the Southern Ethiopia Region. Up to now, 73 suspected individuals have been tested; among them, 6 patients have died due to the virus, as confirmed by the EPHI reference laboratory. Five additional patients are currently receiving treatment.

The Chinese Volunteer Health Professionals Induction Program was held at the Addis Ababa Silkroad Hospital.

President Taye Atsekeslassie, who officially opened the Chinese Volunteer Health Professionals Induction Program, said that the friendship between Ethiopia and China is fruitful and historic.

President Taye added that the arrival of Chinese volunteer medical professionals to Ethiopia for volunteer service is a sign of the strong friendship between the two countries.

Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba said that volunteering should be implemented beyond the winter season in other seasons during a discussion with Rotary Ethiopia delegates.

Dr. Mekdes thanked Rotary Ethiopia for its contribution to the health sector; they discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation.