Ethiopia Declares End of First — Ever Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — City, Country — Ethiopia has declared the end of its first Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak, marking a significant victory in the nation’s public health efforts.
According to official statements, the outbreak, which was confirmed on November 14, 2025, in the South Ethiopia Region, was successfully contained within less than three months.
The government confirmed that the outbreak, which resulted in nine reported cases, including five deaths, was declared over following 42 consecutive days with no new confirmed cases under enhanced surveillance. This period of 42 days without new cases aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) practice for declaring an MVD outbreak over, as seen in Guinea’s 2021 MVD event.
The swift response to the outbreak was led by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), with support from the WHO.
The response included community screening, isolation, treatment, contact tracing, and public awareness measures. Genetic analysis indicated that the virus strain matched those seen in prior East Africa outbreaks, suggesting a regional linkage consistent with known reservoirs and transmission patterns. Public health authorities emphasized the importance of a swift, coordinated response and enhanced surveillance in containing the outbreak within three months.
The WHO’s support and coordination were pivotal in the response efforts, providing technical and operational support across all response pillars. This event marks Ethiopia’s first recorded MVD outbreak, and the genomic findings tie it to strains previously circulating in East Africa.
The successful containment of the outbreak is a testament to the effectiveness of international cooperation and local public health systems in addressing emerging infectious diseases.
Further details are expected as the situation continues to evolve, and the government continues to monitor the region for any signs of recurrence.
The experience gained from this outbreak will be invaluable in preparing for and responding to future health emergencies.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 2*
