2025–26 Ethiopian Marburg virus disease outbreak
| 2025–26 Ethiopian Marburg virus disease outbreak | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ethiopia |
| First outbreak | Jinka, South Ethiopia Regional State |
| Date | 12 November 2025 – 26 January 2026 |
Type | Viral hemorrhagic fever |
| Confirmed cases | 14 |
| Recovered | 5 |
Deaths | 9 (as of 22 December) |
| Fatality rate | 64% |
On 12 November 2025, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) announced a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), later confirmed as Marburg virus disease originated from Jinka town in southern Ethiopia.[1]
On 26 January 2026, the Ethiopian government announced the end of the virus outbreak following enhanced control measures and found no suspected case within 42 days.
Timeline of outbreak
On 12 November 2025, WHO issued a press release from Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) reporting viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) cases in Jinka town, South Ethiopia Regional State. On 14 November 2025, the Ministry of Health confirmed the VHF was Marburg virus.
As of 20 November 2025, 33 specimens had been tested; six were laboratory-confirmed Marburg virus disease (MVD), including three deaths. In addition to the laboratory-confirmed cases, three epidemiologically-linked suspected cases could not be tested.[2][3]
On 4 December 2025, the US Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response announced it would provide 2,500 doses of an investigational vaccine and 25 doses of an experimental monoclonal antibody therapy for treatment to the Ethiopian government.[4]
As of 22 December 2025, there were 14 MVD cases reported, which included nine deaths and five recoveries.[5]
The source of the virus has not been confirmed, though the disease may have spilled over from fruit bats in the area.[2] On 26 January 2026, the Ethiopian government declared the end of virus outbreak after intensive surveillance and mandatory control measures. They found no new confirmed cases within 42 days.[6]
See also
- Rwanda Marburg virus disease outbreak
- 2023 Equatorial Guinea Marburg virus disease outbreak
- 2023 Tanzania Marburg virus disease outbreak
References
- ^ "Africa CDC Statement on Confirmed Marburg Virus Disease in Jinka, Southern Region, Ethiopia". Africa CDC. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ a b "Marburg virus disease- Ethiopia". www.who.int. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "Ethiopia battles first-ever Marburg outbreak". www.gavi.org. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "Press Release: HHS Provides Doses of Investigational Vaccine, Therapeutic to Ethiopia to Address Current Outbreak of Marbur". aspr.hhs.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- ^ "Marburg Virus Disease Response, Ethiopia: Situation Report #4 (Situation update December 22, 2025) - Ethiopia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2025-12-23. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- ^ "Ethiopia declares end of first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak | WHO | Regional Office for Africa". www.afro.who.int. 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-01-26.