2025 Ethiopian Marburg virus disease outbreak

Last updated
2025 Ethiopian Marburg virus disease outbreak
Location Ethiopia
First outbreak Jinka, South Ethiopia Regional State
Arrival date12 November 2025
Type
Viral hemorrhagic fever
Confirmed cases14
Recovered5
Deaths
9 (as of 22 December)
Fatality rate64%

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]

Contents

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]

See also

References

  1. "Africa CDC Statement on Confirmed Marburg Virus Disease in Jinka, Southern Region, Ethiopia". Africa CDC. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  2. 1 2 "Marburg virus disease- Ethiopia". www.who.int. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  3. "Ethiopia battles first-ever Marburg outbreak". www.gavi.org. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  4. "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.
  5. "Marburg Virus Disease Response, Ethiopia: Situation Report #4 (Situation update December 22, 2025) - Ethiopia | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2025-12-23. Retrieved 2025-12-30.