So far, eight possible cases have been reported in the southern Ethiopia region, and laboratory testing is ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a tweet on Twitter that health workers are among those infected.
What is viral hemorrhagic fever?
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a group of epidemic diseases caused by several distinct families of viruses and include Marburg and Ebola virus diseases, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Lassa fever.
It can be relatively mild to serious and life-threatening and is characterized by a sudden onset of muscle and joint pain, fever, bleeding, and shock due to blood loss.
Bleeding or bleeding from the orifices and internal organs is a prominent symptom in severe cases.
Transmission can occur in several ways, depending on the disease, including through contact with symptomatic patients, slaughter practices, and direct contact with rodents or their droppings in the case of Lassa fever.
Medical professionals, supplies and funds
“The World Health Organization has deployed experts to affected cities, along with medicines and other materials to support the care of people in need“And personal protective equipment for health workers,” Tedros said.
The 11 technical officers will assist in several areas including disease surveillance, investigation and testing, as well as infection prevention and control.
The agency is providing other essential supplies, including a rapidly deployable isolation tent to enhance clinical care and administrative capacity.
Tedros also released $300,000 from the WHO Emergency Fund for emergencies to provide immediate support to national authorities.
“WHO offices in Ethiopia and South Sudan are cooperating closely to prevent cross-border transmission of the diseaseHe said the agency is “ready to increase support when needed.”
