Ethiopia is currently facing its first recorded outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever closely related to Ebola. The outbreak was confirmed in (Jinka), located in the South Omo Zone of southern Ethiopia, an area known for its remote communities, porous borders, and proximity to wildlife. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of November 2025 the country has reported six laboratory-confirmed cases, including three deaths, and an additional three probable cases, all of whom have died. This brings the total number of confirmed and probable deaths to six.
The first identified patient was a local resident who developed severe symptoms including high fever, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, and bleeding showcasing signs such as nosebleeding and vomiting blood. These symptoms are typical of advanced Marburg virus disease and often indicate poor prognosis. The disease spreads through contact with bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, or infected individuals, placing close contacts—family members and healthcare workers—at heightened risk.
Public health authorities, supported by WHO, Quickly initiated an emergency response. More than 200 contacts have been identified, with teams conducting daily monitoring, community surveillance, and isolation of symptomatic individuals. Ethiopia has also strengthened infection prevention and control measures in health facilities across South Omo, where healthcare access is limited and transportation is difficult due to geography. Laboratory capacity was quickly expanded, allowing faster confirmation of cases, which is essential for breaking chains of transmission.
One of the major concerns surrounding this outbreak is the potential for cross-border spread. (Jinka) is geographically close to South Sudan, raising regional alarm. WHO(World Health Organization)has classified the national risk as high, the regional risk as moderate, and the global risk as low, largely due to the outbreak’s location in a remote area and the swift response by Ethiopian authorities. Nevertheless, the region’s mobile pastoralist populations and limited health infrastructure present ongoing challenges.
Early epidemiological investigations point to a likely zoonotic spillover. The region hosts populations of Rousettus fruit bats, which are known natural reservoirs of Marburg virus. Human infection often begins when individuals enter caves or forests inhabited by these bats or come into contact with infected wildlife. However, the exact source of the Ethiopian outbreak has not yet been conclusively identified.
This Ethiopian outbreak follows a deadly Marburg episode in Tanzania earlier in 2025, where two confirmed and eight probable cases resulted in 10 deaths, a 100% fatality rate in that cluster. The Tanzanian outbreak was declared over in March 2025 after two full incubation cycles with no new infections. The recurrence of separate outbreaks in East Africa highlights the ongoing risk posed by filo-viruses and the need for sustained regional preparedness.
At present, there is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment for Marburg virus disease. Care is supportive, focusing on rehydration, electrolyte management, and treatment of secondary infections. Rapid isolation, early detection, and contact tracing remain the most effective tools for containment.
The situation in Ethiopia continues to evolve, and public health authorities—supported by WHO and the Africa CDC—are working intensively to prevent wider spread. Further updates are expected.