Marburg virus disease- Ethiopia
- Países / áreas relacionadas
- Ethiopia
- Primer comunicado
- 2025-11-21
- Comunicado más reciente
- 2026-01-26
- Número de comunicados
- 2
Resumen oficial (texto original)
On 26 January 2026, the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia declared the end of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak. This declaration came after two consecutive incubation periods (a total of 42 days) since the last person confirmed with MVD died and was given a safe and dignified burial, in accordance with WHO recommendations on 14 December 2025. As of 25 January 2026, a cumulative total of 19 cases, including 14 confirmed (including nine deaths) and five probable cases (all deaths), were reported.
A total of 857 contacts listed for monitoring all had completed their 21-day follow-up as of 25 January 2026.
WHO, through its country office and partners, provided technical, operational and financial support to the government to contain this outbreak.
Evaluación de riesgo de la WHO (texto original)
This was the first-ever confirmed MVD outbreak reported in Ethiopia. Based on the outbreak investigation and surveillance activities during the response, which included contact tracing, alert management, active case search, and mortality surveillance, no additional cases have been reported during the 42-day countdown period, as per WHO recommendations. However, there remains a risk of re-emergence of MVD following the declaration of the end of the outbreak, with potential spillovers from interactions with the animal reservoir.
Risk communication and community engagement activities will continue to provide timely and accurate information, monitor and address community feedback and rumours, while supporting efforts to reduce stigma toward individuals affected by the outbreak.
Leer el texto original de la WHO
Historial de comunicados
- · 2026-DON592
Marburg virus disease- Ethiopia
Resumen oficial (texto original)
On 26 January 2026, the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia declared the end of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak. This declaration came after two consecutive incubation periods (a total of 42 days) since the last person confirmed with MVD died and was given a safe and dignified burial, in accordance with WHO recommendations on 14 December 2025. As of 25 January 2026, a cumulative total of 19 cases, including 14 confirmed (including nine deaths) and five probable cases (all deaths), were reported.
A total of 857 contacts listed for monitoring all had completed their 21-day follow-up as of 25 January 2026.
WHO, through its country office and partners, provided technical, operational and financial support to the government to contain this outbreak.
- · 2025-DON585
Marburg virus disease- Ethiopia
Resumen oficial (texto original)
On 12 November 2025, WHO noted a press release from the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), announcing suspected viral hemorrhagic viral fever (VHF) in Jinka town, South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia.
On 14 November 2025, the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia confirmed that the cases previously reported as suspected VHF were Marburg virus disease (MVD). Molecular testing conducted by the National Reference Laboratory at EPHI identified Marburg virus (MARV) in patient samples. As of 20 November 2025, 33 laboratory tests have been conducted, of which six confirmed cases, including three deaths, have been reported. Of the six confirmed cases, three are currently alive and on treatment. In addition to the lab-confirmed cases, a further three epidemiologically linked cases could not be tested; all three are deceased and recorded as probable cases. A total of 206 contacts have been identified, and contacts are under active follow-up. The number of contacts will continue to change as the response evolves.
The source of the infection has not yet been identified. This marks the first confirmed outbreak of MVD in the country. Initial investigation by the one health team in Ethiopia show the presence of the natural host of the virus, fruit bats, in the area.
MVD is a severe, often fatal illness, transmitted from bats to humans, and clinically similar to Ebola virus diseases. The disease has a case fatality ratio of up to 88%, but it can be much lower with good and early patient care.
Under the leadership of the MoH, WHO is working alongside the Ethiopian response teams to enhance coordination, surveillance (including outbreak investigation, contact tracing, and alert management), case management, infection prevention and control measures, laboratory capacity, risk communication and community engagement.
WHO assesses the public health risk posed by the outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level. Ethiopia is facing concurrent emergencies and multiple disease outbreaks, including of cholera, measles, dengue, which results in stretched health capacity.
