Ethiopia is facing a new public health crisis following the confirmation of a Marburg virus outbreak in the southern region of the country. Health officials have identified multiple cases, prompting immediate containment measures and regional alerts.
The Marburg virus, a highly virulent pathogen from the filovirus family, is infamous for its rapid transmission and high fatality rate, ranging from 25% to as high as 80%. Symptoms mirror those of Ebola — including sudden fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, and internal or external bleeding. The disease is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
Initial alerts of a hemorrhagic fever-like illness reached the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) earlier this week. Laboratory confirmation from Ethiopia’s National Reference Laboratory has since verified the presence of the Marburg virus in samples taken from the affected zone, particularly around the Jinka area.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization and an Ethiopian national, acknowledged the situation publicly, confirming that at least nine cases have been recorded so far. Africa CDC has noted that the strain detected shows genetic markers consistent with earlier East African outbreaks.
Containment protocols are now underway. Ethiopian health authorities have moved swiftly to trace contacts, isolate patients, and establish field treatment centers. Africa CDC and WHO have pledged support to prevent cross-border transmission, particularly into neighboring countries such as Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda.
This latest outbreak follows recent Marburg flare-ups in the region. Earlier in 2025, Tanzania experienced a limited outbreak that resulted in ten deaths before being brought under control. Rwanda, too, concluded its first known battle with the virus in December 2024, with 15 fatalities reported.
Despite the severity of the illness, no licensed vaccine or targeted antiviral treatment currently exists for Marburg. However, supportive care — including fluid replacement therapy and treatment of specific symptoms — can significantly improve survival rates. Experimental vaccines are in development, and field trials were previously conducted in Rwanda using candidates from the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute.
Public health officials across East Africa are now on high alert. Airport screenings, community awareness campaigns, and enhanced surveillance are being mobilized to contain the threat. For Ethiopia and its neighbors, the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether the virus can be contained before it spirals into a broader regional emergency.
