Ethiopia has confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, after nine cases were reported in the south of the country.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday commended the Ethiopian Health Ministry and other health agencies for their “rapid and transparent response to the outbreak”.

“This fast action demonstrates the seriousness of the country’s commitment to bringing the outbreak under control quickly,” Tedros wrote in a social media post.

The confirmation comes a day after the WHO said Ethiopian health authorities were investigating after “suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever” were reported.