GlobalHealth Threats

Overview

Ethiopia confirmed its first-ever Marburg outbreak on 14 November 2025. A total of 14 infections were confirmed, including nine deaths and five recoveries. Five additional deaths were connected to this outbreak, though laboratory confirmation was not possible. Most cases occurred in Jinka (South Ethiopia state), with one linked fatality reported in Hawassa (Sidama state) and probable deaths also reported in Dasench and Malle (both South Ethiopia state).

On 26 January 2026, health authorities declared the Marburg outbreak over. A total of 857 contacts were identified and monitored during the outbreak.

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Latest updates

2026

26 January: The Government of Ethiopia has declared the outbreak over. No new cases have been reported for 42 days (two consecutive incubation periods) and all contacts have completed follow up.

In an update, WHO also noted that the outbreak was now over in Ethiopia and provided some additional details, including two probable cases reported from Dasench and Male (both in South Ethiopia state) that had not appeared in earlier reports.  

According to the WHO, there remains a risk of Marburg virus disease re-emerging after the outbreak is declared over, including through potential spillover from animal reservoirs. Risk communication and community engagement efforts are ongoing to deliver accurate information, address community feedback, and help reduce stigma toward affected individuals.

22 January: In its latest update, Africa CDC reported that no new infections have been detected in Ethiopia since the last case was discharged on 14 December. Health authorities expect the outbreak to conclude by 26 January.

15 January: As of 13 January, no new Marburg virus infections or fatalities have been reported from Ethiopia, marking 28 days without new cases.

Three fatal suspected Marburg infections have been reported in neighbouring South Sudan. At least two of the affected individuals had a history of travel to Marburg-affected areas of Ethiopia in November 2025. Investigations are ongoing.

7 January: In an update, health authorities reported no additional infections since the last case recovered on 14 December. It has now been more than 21 days without additional cases, and all identified contacts have completed their follow-up period. If no further infections are detected, the outbreak could be over by the end of January.

2025

15 December: No new infections have been reported. On 14 December, the individual previously under treatment was discharged following recovery. At present, there are no individuals receiving treatment, and a total of five people have recovered.

13 December: An additional death has been confirmed, bringing to total fatalities to nine. Only one individual remains under treatment.

12 December: Health authorities have reported a new case, bringing the total confirmed infections to 14.

10 December: No new infections have been reported, with the total confirmed cases still 13.

7 December: No new infections have been reported since 4 December, and one individual still remains in treatment. A vaccination campaign has begun, prioritising frontline healthcare workers and high-risk contacts.

4 December: No new infections have been reported since 2 December. The total confirmed infections remain 13. Additionally, experimental Marburg vaccines have arrived to support the ongoing outbreak response.

2 December: A new case has been confirmed in Jinka town (South Ethiopia state), bringing the total to 13. The newly identified patient is currently receiving treatment.

1 December: Health authorities have reported no new cases today. One additional case has recovered, bringing the total recoveries to four. No cases are currently in treatment.

30 November: No new infections have been reported. Two surge teams of health experts have been deployed to Hawassa (Sidama state) and Jinka (South Ethiopia state).

29 November: No new infections have been reported, and one more case has recovered, raising the total recoveries to three. One case remains in treatment.

27 November: One additional death has been reported in an individual that was receiving treatment. The total number of reported cases remains 12, including eight fatalities. Two cases remain in treatment.

26 November: Health authorities have confirmed two additional cases, both resulting in fatalities, bringing the total to 12 cases, including seven deaths. Two individuals have also recovered, while three remain under treatment. One of the newly reported deaths occurred in Hawassa (Sidama state), approximately 300 km from Jinka, with known links to the outbreak in Jinka (South Ethiopia state). At least 349 contacts have been identified, with 119 having completed their monitoring period.

24 November: No new cases were reported today. The confirmed total remains ten.

23 November: No new cases were reported today; however, one previously reported case is now in critical condition. The total number of confirmed infections remains ten, including five deaths.

22 November: Two additional cases have been confirmed, including one fatality, bringing the total to ten. Five patients have died, and five remain under care at a treatment centre. Health authorities report that these patients were previously quarantined in Jinka town. While some media sources suggest possible spread to other areas, these reports remain unconfirmed.

21 November: Health authorities have confirmed two additional infections, including one fatality, bringing the total to eight cases and four deaths, among them two healthcare workers. Four patients remain in treatment at health facilities. At least 206 contacts have been identified and are under active follow-up. Contacts are located in Jinka and Sodo (South Ethiopia state) as well as Hawassa (Sidama state). Two treatment centres have been designated to treat suspected and confirmed cases. While the source of the outbreak is still under investigation, field teams in Jinka have observed fruit bats, a known reservoir for Marburg virus.

WHO has assessed the public health risk from this outbreak as high at the national level, moderate regionally, and low globally.

20 November: Two new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to six. Three patients are currently in isolation receiving treatment.

19 November: Health authorities report two new lab investigations, with no additional infections confirmed. Door-to-door checks, transport inspections, and healthcare surveillance are ongoing. Regional teams are also expanding animal investigations and testing to identify the outbreak’s source. Ethiopia has implemented enhanced surveillance at points of entry. Other countries have strengthened monitoring for Marburg virus.

18 November: Health authorities confirmed one new case, bringing the total confirmed to four, including three deaths. At least 26 laboratory investigations have been completed. Three additional deaths are linked to the outbreak, but remain unconfirmed by laboratory testing, and previously reported suspected cases have not been added to the totals.

17 November: Health authorities have deployed a mobile laboratory to the outbreak site to strengthen Marburg virus testing capacity. Since the start of the outbreak, samples from 17 individuals have been collected, with at least three confirmed cases, all of which have been among deceased patients. At least six people have died with symptoms of the disease, though confirmation was only possible for three of them. Investigations are ongoing to identify additional cases, and at least 129 contacts are under monitoring. Currently, there are no active cases in treatment centres.

14 November: Health authorities have confirmed the outbreak is attributable to the Marburg virus, marking the first recorded occurrence of the disease in Ethiopia. The circulating strain has previously been identified in other East African countries. Since the last update, at least one additional infection has been reported, bringing the total number of suspected cases to nine.

13 November: Health authorities, with support from regional agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO), have deployed experts and supplies to affected areas. The cause of the outbreak remains unknown, but laboratory testing is underway, with results expected soon. The number of affected individuals remains at eight, including some health workers. Additionally, WHO offices in Ethiopia and South Sudan are working together to prevent cross-border transmission. Media sources report that at least six people have died in the outbreak, including a doctor and a nurse who were involved in treating affected patients.

12 November: Health authorities have reported an outbreak of haemorrhagic fever in Jinka town (South Ethiopia state). Laboratory tests are underway to determine the cause, with at least eight suspected cases so far. Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing have been implemented. Officials are urging preventive measures and advising anyone with symptoms to seek medical care immediately.