Ethiopia has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) after laboratory tests identified the deadly virus in samples from patients in Jinka town, South Ethiopia Regional State—an area with active movement and trade links to Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. The location of the outbreak and high mobility across borders pose a heightened risk of cross-border transmission into neighbouring East African Community (EAC) Partner States, prompting regional health authorities to strengthen surveillance and preparedness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) first announced suspected viral haemorrhagic fever on 12 November, before confirming the outbreak two days later.
According to WHO, as of 20 November, 33 laboratory tests have been conducted, with six cases confirmed positive for Marburg virus. Three of the confirmed patients have died, while three others remain alive and are receiving treatment. In addition, three epidemiologically linked individuals who could not be tested have died and are classified as probable cases. A total of 206 contacts have been identified, and follow-up efforts are ongoing as the situation evolves.
Early clinical reports indicate that patients have presented with high fever, severe headache, vomiting, abdominal pain and watery or bloody diarrhoea. Five patients exhibited haemorrhagic symptoms such as nosebleeds and vomiting blood—signs consistent with multi-organ failure often seen in severe Marburg infections.
Initial investigations by Ethiopia’s One Health teams have detected the presence of fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), the natural reservoir of Marburg virus, in the affected area. However, the precise source of the outbreak is yet to be determined. Health authorities are racing to contain the spread of the disease. WHO is supporting national response teams on surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, laboratory strengthening, case management, IPC and RCCE.
Regional implications: Heightened vigilance required for EAC border regions
Jinka town lies within a major mobility corridor connecting Ethiopia to Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda, with regular cross-border travel by traders, pastoralist communities and transport operators. This proximity increases the risk of undetected spread into EAC Partner States, particularly regions historically vulnerable to viral haemorrhagic fevers.
The EAC Secretariat, working with Partner States, Africa CDC and WHO, is expected to strengthen:
- Surveillance at points of entry, including border posts and informal crossing points
- Community-based surveillance in cross-border districts
- Information sharing and rapid alerts through existing EAC cross-border health platforms
- Preparedness and readiness measures, including pre-positioning of PPE and activation of national rapid response teams
Past outbreaks in the region have demonstrated that a single imported case—if undetected—can rapidly escalate. The current Marburg situation in Ethiopia underscores the need for coordinated regional preparedness.
About Marburg Virus Disease
Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness caused by the Marburg and Ravn viruses, close relatives of the Ebola virus. It spreads among humans through direct contact with bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces or infected materials. Healthcare workers, caregivers and those involved in burial practices are at particularly high risk without strict adherence to IPC measures.
Symptoms typically appear suddenly between two and 21 days after exposure and progress from high fever and malaise to severe gastrointestinal distress. Many patients experience bleeding from multiple sites and may succumb to shock and organ failure within a week. While there are no approved treatments or vaccines, early and aggressive supportive care can significantly improve survival.
Globally, Marburg virus disease has been reported in 19 previous outbreaks, most recently in Tanzania between January and March 2025. Past outbreaks in the African region have occurred in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
WHO currently assesses the risk of the Ethiopia outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low globally. Samples from Ethiopia will be shared with international reference laboratories for further confirmation and comparison.
Read more:
WHO Marburg virus disease - Ethiopia
Outbreak linked to climate change also what can we learn from Rwanda outbreak
Ministry of Health Ethiopia Press Release