Ethiopia has declared the end of its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease after completing the required 42 days of enhanced surveillance with no new confirmed cases, health authorities announced.
The outbreak, which was first confirmed on 14 November 2025 in the South Ethiopia Region, was contained in less than three months through a coordinated government-led response supported by the World Health Organization. A total of 14 confirmed cases were recorded, including nine deaths and five recoveries, alongside five additional probable deaths.
The outbreak affected four districts: Jinka, Malle and Arba Minch in the South Ethiopia Region, and Hawassa in the Sidama Region. Authorities rapidly activated response measures, including active case detection, isolation and supportive care, contact tracing, strengthened infection prevention and control in health facilities, and community engagement.
According to health officials, 857 contacts were identified and monitored for 21 days. Three health workers were infected during the outbreak, two of whom died, underscoring the high risk faced by frontline responders and the importance of robust infection prevention measures.
WHO said it activated its emergency response mechanisms within 24 hours of confirmation, deploying 36 experts to affected areas and repurposing an additional 28 staff to support field operations. Technical assistance covered surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, case management, infection prevention and control, logistics, coordination, and risk communication.
The organisation also supplied laboratory testing equipment, viral haemorrhagic fever kits, materials for treatment and isolation facilities, and vehicles to support field mobility. These resources helped expand diagnostic capacity, strengthen patient care and ensure consistent application of standard response protocols.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health said prior investments in public health preparedness played a critical role in containing the outbreak. These included strengthened laboratory systems, disease surveillance, a trained surge workforce and coordination through the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. Support from initiatives such as the Ethiopian Pandemic Multi-Sectoral Prevention, Preparedness and Response Project and the AVoHC-SURGE programme enabled early detection and rapid deployment of responders while maintaining essential health services.
National authorities and partners are now implementing follow-up programmes to support Marburg survivors and conducting after-action reviews to strengthen readiness for future outbreaks.
Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted to humans from fruit bats and through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. While no licensed vaccines or therapeutics are currently available, early supportive care improves survival, and several vaccine and treatment candidates are undergoing clinical trials.
