Ethiopia declares its first Marburg outbreak over after 42 days without new cases

Outbreak declared over

Ethiopia has formally declared an end to its first Marburg virus outbreak after completing the required 42-day period with no new confirmed cases. The milestone follows intensified surveillance and follow-up work meant to ensure chains of transmission have been interrupted.

The outbreak was first confirmed on November 14, 2025, in the country’s south near the border with South Sudan. Health officials tracked and monitored contacts while expanding testing and reinforcing infection prevention practices in health facilities.

Case totals and impact on health workers

Authorities confirmed 14 Marburg cases during the event, including nine deaths and five people who recovered. The World Health Organization also cited additional deaths classified as possible cases tied to the outbreak investigation.

Health workers were among those infected, highlighting the occupational risk posed by viral hemorrhagic fevers when protective equipment, triage systems, and rapid isolation are strained. The response included strengthening clinical protocols to reduce exposure in care settings.

What Marburg is and how it spreads

Marburg virus is a highly dangerous pathogen linked to fruit bats and can spread between people through close contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Symptoms can begin with fever and body aches, and may progress to severe illness, including bleeding and shock.

There is no widely licensed vaccine or specific curative treatment; care is typically supportive, focusing on hydration, symptom control, and management of complications. That makes rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing, and community engagement central to stopping transmission.

What comes next

Even after an outbreak is declared over, public health agencies often keep strengthened surveillance in place, especially in areas where the first cases occurred. Officials may also review what worked and where gaps appeared, including laboratory capacity, protective equipment supply, and community outreach.

Ethiopia’s declaration closes an intense period of response operations and shifts attention to preparedness—so that future suspected cases can be identified quickly and contained before wider spread.