Ethiopia Declares End to First-Ever Marburg Virus Outbreak
Ethiopia has officially declared the end of its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) after completing enhanced surveillance and the mandatory 42-day follow-up period without recording any new confirmed cases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement on Monday that the outbreak, first confirmed on Nov. 14, 2025, in the South Ethiopia Region, was brought under control in less than three months through a swift, coordinated response led by the Ethiopian government and supported by WHO.
From the onset, WHO worked closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) to support response efforts at both national and sub-national levels. WHO Ethiopia coordinated response operations and provided sustained technical and operational assistance across key areas, including surveillance, laboratory services, case management, infection prevention and control, logistics, and risk communication and community engagement.
A total of 14 confirmed cases were recorded during the outbreak, resulting in nine deaths and five recoveries. In addition, five probable cases were reported. The outbreak affected four districts—Jinka, Malle and Arba Minch in the South Ethiopia Region, and Hawassa in the Sidama Region—prompting the rapid scale-up of response measures.
Authorities implemented active case detection, isolation and supportive care, comprehensive contact tracing, strengthened infection prevention and control in health facilities, and intensive community engagement. Overall, 857 contacts were identified and monitored for 21 days.
Three health workers were infected during the outbreak; two died while one recovered, underscoring the severity of Marburg virus disease and the importance of strict infection prevention and control measures.
WHO activated its emergency response mechanisms within 24 hours of confirming the outbreak, deploying 36 experts to affected areas and redeploying 28 additional staff to bolster field operations. The organisation also supplied critical emergency materials, including laboratory testing kits, viral haemorrhagic fever supplies, equipment for treatment and isolation centres, and vehicles to support field activities.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr Mekdes Daba, said the rapid containment of the outbreak reflected strong national leadership, effective coordination, and the commitment of frontline responders and communities, while stressing the need to sustain preparedness against future public health threats.
WHO Representative in Ethiopia, Dr Francis Chisaka Kasolo, commended the government’s timely actions and reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting efforts to strengthen capacities to prevent, detect and respond to future health emergencies.
National authorities and partners are now implementing follow-up programmes to support Marburg survivors and conducting after-action reviews to capture lessons learned and enhance preparedness.
Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Early supportive care improves survival, although no licensed vaccines or treatments are currently available, with several candidates still undergoing clinical trials.
