South Sudan Tightens Borders After Ethiopia’s Marburg Outbreak Shocks Region

South Sudan reacted fast after Ethiopia confirmed a Marburg virus outbreak near their shared border. The government raised surveillance, reactivated health emergency systems, and sent teams to high-risk regions. Officials said no cases are found inside South Sudan and urged the public to stay alert but calm. The main goal now is stopping the virus before it reaches the country.

South Sudan Says No Cases Yet But Moves Quickly Anyway

The Minister of Health, Sarah Cleto Rial, said the country is taking the outbreak seriously because of how close Jinka town is to South Sudan. She explained that even though South Sudan has zero confirmed cases, the government is acting early so nothing slips through unnoticed. Her message felt calm and steady, something people needed in a moment like this.

Why The Outbreak In Ethiopia Sparked Instant Concerns

Ethiopia announced the outbreak on November 14, and the location made things sensitive. Jinka sits very close to the border, and people often move around these regions daily. That means the virus could travel before anyone even realises something is wrong. That simple fact pushed South Sudan to increase checks, monitoring and cooperation with partners like the WHO.

Health Ministry Asks People To Report Symptoms Quickly

Cleto asked citizens not to panic and not to ignore symptoms. She said if anyone feels anything unusual, especially signs that resemble hemorrhagic fever, they should reach the nearest clinic immediately. Her message was clear that early detection is the strongest defence, and people’s awareness can stop spread before it begins.

Emergency Operation Centre Activated As A Main Defence

One of the biggest steps taken was reactivating the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre in Juba. This centre becomes the command room during situations like this. It checks data, watches movement at borders, and guides health workers in the field. It helps national and state teams to respond without delay. The idea is simple: act fast, stay coordinated, avoid confusion.

Rapid Response Teams Sent To High-Risk Border Areas

Mabior Kiir Kudior, who oversees planning at the PHEOC, said teams already reached high-risk counties. These include Kapoeta East, Akobo, Pochala, and Greater Pibor. They are the first defence lines because they sit closest to the Ethiopia border. Kudior said they have prepared a 72-hour response plan to handle any suspected case. This means teams know what to do even before a case shows up.

Travel Advisory Issued To Guide Public And Travellers

South Sudan also released a travel advisory to help people understand how to move safely. Kudior said the advisory is not meant to scare travellers, but to guide them. It talks about safety steps, symptoms they should know, and when they should avoid travel. These steps build trust and lower risk at the same time.

Understanding Why Marburg Virus Is So Dangerous

Marburg virus disease is known for being severe. It can kill up to 88 percent of people infected if not treated early. But this number becomes much lower when patients reach care quickly. That is why the government keeps repeating the message about early reporting. The virus causes bleeding, fever, and organ failure if it goes too far.

A Virus With A Long History Across Parts Of Africa

Marburg virus was first found in 1967 after outbreaks in Germany and Serbia. Scientists discovered the virus came from African green monkeys imported from Uganda. Since then, the virus has appeared in several African countries including Angola, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Uganda. Most outbreaks were small but deadly.

Why South Sudan’s Early Action Matters For The Region

South Sudan’s fast response shows how important border readiness is in East Africa. These countries stay connected through movement, trade, and family ties. So an outbreak in one place can affect others within days. By watching borders closely, sending teams, talking to the public, and working with WHO, South Sudan increases its chance of stopping the virus before it enters.