ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Coordinated efforts are currently underway to avert possible cross-border spread of the Marburg virus disease outbreak in southern Ethiopia, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said.

During an online media briefing on Thursday evening, Yap Boum II, deputy incident manager for mpox at the Africa CDC, said the continental public health agency is coordinating efforts to reinforce regional readiness, enhance information sharing, and strengthen cross-border surveillance to prevent potential spread of the virus.

Last week, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health confirmed a Marburg virus disease outbreak in Jinka town in southern Ethiopia, following laboratory testing of samples from a cluster of suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever. On Thursday, the ministry announced two more confirmed cases, bringing the total cases to six, while the death toll stood at three.

"The Jinka town in the south region of Ethiopia is bordering Kenya and South Sudan. Therefore, we have engaged the minister of health of South Sudan, so that we can support the preparedness, just in case there is any case that can move to South Sudan," Boum said.

The Africa CDC has deployed a multidisciplinary rapid response team to reinforce Ethiopia's response efforts and ensure that the outbreak is contained.

The ongoing Marburg virus disease outbreak in southern Ethiopia is the first of its kind in the country's history. On Monday, Ethiopia's Minister of Health Mekdes Daba said that although six people exhibiting symptoms of the virus have died, laboratory confirmation was possible for only three cases. She added that coordinated efforts are currently underway to identify and isolate those who might have been exposed to the virus.

The Marburg virus, a highly infectious pathogen with a high fatality rate, causes hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms, including high fever and severe headache, typically appear within a week of exposure. It belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, according to the World Health Organization. ■