Ethiopia has declared the end of its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, saying it has completed the required 42-day period without any new confirmed cases. The outbreak was first confirmed on November 14, 2025, in the country’s southern region near the border with South Sudan, and it ultimately produced 14 confirmed cases. Authorities reported nine deaths and five recoveries among the confirmed cases, while additional deaths were classified as possible Marburg cases.
Public-health officials said the country reached the milestone after intensive surveillance, case tracking and infection-control work. The World Health Organization supported Ethiopia’s response through technical assistance that included surveillance and laboratory support, guidance for case management and infection prevention, and help with logistics and coordination. The declaration marks a significant step for a country confronting Marburg for the first time, and highlights the role of rapid detection and strict containment in limiting spread.
Marburg is a highly lethal viral hemorrhagic fever related to Ebola. It is associated with fruit bats and can spread between people through close contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms commonly include fever, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhea, and in severe cases can lead to hemorrhage and death from blood loss. Health officials noted that there is no widely licensed vaccine or approved specific treatment, which makes early identification, isolation and supportive medical care critical during outbreaks.
Ethiopia’s experience also underscores the risks to health workers in hemorrhagic-fever outbreaks. Among the people infected during this event were health workers, and officials emphasized the importance of protective equipment, training and infection prevention practices at clinics and hospitals. In many settings, preventing transmission in health facilities is decisive for stopping broader community spread.
With the outbreak now officially ended, authorities said they will keep watch for new suspected cases and continue strengthening preparedness in case of future flare-ups. Regional experts routinely stress that improved surveillance and laboratory capacity help countries detect emerging outbreaks faster, reducing the time the virus can circulate undetected.