Kibish – December 17, 2025(Public Communication and Media Relations)
The Department of Health and Sanitation is leading Marburg virus disease surveillance efforts along the Kenya–Ethiopia border in Kibish and Turkana North sub-counties.
The ongoing preparedness measures include sensitization of sub-county healthcare workers on case definitions, standard laboratory testing and confirmatory procedures, as well as the provision of surveillance tools.
Marburg virus is a severe and often fatal pathogen that causes Marburg virus disease (MVD), a type of viral hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and non-human primates. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In November 2025, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease following initial reports of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever.
As of December 16, 2025, Ethiopia has reported 14 laboratory-confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease, nine of whom have died, while five patients have recovered. There are currently no patients under treatment.
On December 13, 2025, the County Disease Surveillance team collected 20 samples from suspected cases. All test results returned negative, confirming that there are no Marburg virus cases in Turkana County.
Health specialists are urging residents to remain vigilant as surveillance is intensified and to report any suspected symptoms immediately to the nearest health facility.
According to the WHO, symptoms typically appear abruptly after an incubation period of 2 to 21 days. Early symptoms (days 1–7) include high fever and chills, severe headache, intense fatigue, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe watery diarrhea, among others.
The WHO further warns that late symptoms (days 5–7) may include hemorrhagic manifestations such as bleeding, bloody vomit and diarrhea, jaundice, and severe weight loss.
Following a courtesy call with the Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, Agnes Mana, a joint delegation comprising officials from the National Ministry of Health, the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme–Kenya (FELTP-K), the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, the National Public Health Laboratory, and the County Health Management Team is currently in Kibish to assess preparedness and support surveillance efforts on the ground.
The County Surveillance team is led by Absolom Kuya, the County Disease Surveillance Coordinator.
