Marburg virus disease in Ethiopia

On 26 January 2026, the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia declared the end of the Marburg virus disease outbreak

On 26 January 2026, the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia declared the end of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak, following the completion of enhanced surveillance and the mandatory follow-up period, with no new confirmed cases reported for 42 days (two consecutive incubation periods of the virus). This was the first-ever confirmed MVD outbreak reported in Ethiopia [1, 2].

Since the outbreak was declared on 14 November 2025, a total of 14 confirmed cases were reported during the outbreak, including nine deaths and five recoveries. A further five deaths of probable cases were reported. The outbreak affected four districts: Jinka, Malle and Arba Minch in South Ethiopia Region and Hawassa in Sidama Region [2].

An emergency response by local and national health authorities in Ethiopia, with support from the World Health Organization and partners, enabled this outbreak to be controlled [1, 2].

There remains a risk of re-emergence following the outbreak, and measures are in place to engage with communities on ways to reduce the risk of transmission.

Marburg virus disease can be a severe, often fatal haemorrhagic fever, which is very similar to Ebola virus disease. African fruit bats are the natural hosts, although monkeys, other non-human primates and antelopes can also be infected. Exposure to body tissues or fluids of infected animals is a risk factor for infection [3, 4].

Marburg virus can also spread between people through direct contact (via broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood, organs, secretions or other bodily fluids of infected people.

Outbreaks and sporadic cases have occurred in previous years in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa (associated with travel from Zimbabwe), and Tanzania.

Further information on Marburg virus disease can be found here: Marburg virus disease.