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Type: noun
Meaning: a tiny germ that can make people sick
Synonyms: germ, infection
Example: The virus made some people very ill.
Type: noun
Meaning: when many people get sick at about the same time
Synonyms: epidemic, flare-up
Example: The outbreak caused health officials to act.
Type: noun
Meaning: the condition of a person’s body and mind
Synonyms: wellbeing, fitness
Example: Good health is important for everyone.
Health officials in Ethiopia have announced that a serious virus outbreak is over. The illness, called Marburg virus disease, made people very sick and caused several deaths earlier last year. The government and health workers followed people who had contact with patients to check their health and prevent more spread. The outbreak began when people showed symptoms like fever, headache, and tiredness. Doctors used special tests to confirm that the patients were infected with the virus. Because Marburg virus can be very dangerous, health teams worked hard to find and care for sick people quickly. After many weeks with no new confirmed cases, officials said the outbreak had ended. This news brings hope to families and communities in Ethiopia. It shows how important it is for countries to work together to protect people’s health.
Type: verb
Meaning: to stop something from spreading
Synonyms: control, limit
Example: Medical teams tried to contain the virus.
Task: Explain how you might contain a virus.
Type: noun
Meaning: watching something closely over time
Synonyms: observation
Example: Officials were monitoring contacts of patients.
Task: Why is monitoring important during an outbreak?
Type: noun
Meaning: people who were near sick persons
Synonyms: exposures
Example: All contacts were checked for symptoms.
Task: Give an example of a contact in daily life.
Health authorities in Ethiopia have declared the end of the first ever Marburg virus disease outbreak in the country, after rigorous monitoring and follow-up of people who were exposed to the virus. The Marburg virus, a serious virus that can cause severe illness, was confirmed in several cases late last year. Health workers and officials focused on quick identification and care for patients, aiming to contain the spread. Marburg virus disease causes symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and muscle aches. In the worst cases, it can lead to bleeding and organ failure. Health teams tested people with symptoms to confirm the infection. They also identified people who had been near sick individuals — called contacts — and monitored them for signs of illness for many days. After no new confirmed cases were reported during consecutive monitoring cycles, officials announced that the outbreak had ended. This outcome was possible because of careful teamwork between Ethiopia’s health ministry and international partners, including the World Health Organization. The effort highlights the importance of early detection, rapid care, and strong public health systems in stopping dangerous outbreaks.
Type: noun
Meaning: the study of how diseases spread and are controlled
Synonyms: public health science
Example: Epidemiology guides outbreak response planning.
Task: Explain how epidemiology helps during health crises.
Type: noun
Meaning: the time between infection and symptoms
Synonyms: latency period
Example: The incubation period varies by virus.
Task: Why is knowing incubation time important?
Type: adjective
Meaning: showing respect and care for a person’s worth
Synonyms: respectful
Example: Patients received a safe and dignified burial.
Task: Discuss why dignified care is important in outbreaks.
Example sentence: Health teams had to track down all contacts of confirmed cases.
Example sentence: Officials had to step up monitoring during the outbreak.
Example sentence: Quick care helped hold off further spread of the virus.
The Ministry of Health in Ethiopia has officially declared the end of the first documented Marburg virus disease outbreak in the nation after a sustained period of zero confirmed cases. Marburg virus disease, a severe haemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates, was first detected in Jinka town and surrounding areas late in 2025. Epidemiology teams rapidly mobilized to investigate and respond to the outbreak, implementing contact tracing, monitoring, and supportive care. Marburg virus disease presents an incubation period that can last up to three weeks, during which infected individuals may not show symptoms but can develop severe illness. Symptoms often start abruptly with fever, malaise, and muscle pain, and can progress to gastrointestinal distress, organ failure, and severe bleeding in advanced cases. Health teams identified all potential contacts of confirmed and probable cases, monitored them for signs of illness, and provided medical support when necessary. After two full incubation periods passed without new confirmed infections, the Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization and local partners, announced the outbreak’s end. This milestone also came after careful, respectful, and dignified treatment of those affected and their families. The response demonstrated the importance of early detection, thorough epidemiology work, and international cooperation to hold off further spread of dangerous infectious diseases