Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the South Ethiopia Region, the first of its kind in the country, following laboratory testing of samples from a cluster of suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever. Genetic analysis by the Ethiopia Public Health Institute revealed that the virus is of the same strain as the one that has been reported in previous outbreaks in other countries in East Africa. A total of nine cases have been reported in the outbreak that has affected Jinka town in the South Ethiopia Region. The national authorities are scaling up response including community-wide screening, isolation of cases, treatment, contact tracing and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the Marburg virus, which is in the same family of viruses that cause Ebola virus disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are supporting the government as it intensifies response to halt the spread of the virus and end the outbreak. A team of responders with expertise in viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak response has been deployed along with medical supplies and equipment. (WHO, 14 Nov 2025)
As of 20 November, according to the Ethiopia Ministry of Health (MoH), 28 cases have been tested; six cases are confirmed, out of which three deceased; 129 suspected cases have been identified have been traced in Hawassa, Jinka and Sodo cities. Affected areas are Southern Ethiopia and Sidama regions. Ongoing interventions include the strengthening of primary health care, with focus on contact tracing, frontline health workers engagement and protection, and community-level prevention. WHO provided 1,000 test kits while the MoH is dispatching essential medications to Jinka. A mobile laboratory has been also deployed to Jinka and is now operational to expand testing and reduce the need for referrals to central facilities. (ECHO, 21 November 2025)
As of 26 November, 78 laboratory tests have been conducted, of which twelve confirmed cases, including seven confirmed deaths, have been reported; three cases remain probable. Of the 12 confirmed cases, five are currently alive, three on treatment, and two discharged. More than 300 contacts have been identified and are under active follow-up […] The populations most likely to experience impacts include those residing in Jinka Town and surrounding rural kebeles within the South Omo Zone. This area has limited health infrastructure, low access to sanitation and clean water, and frequent population movement for trade and pastoral activities—all of which increase exposure and complicate containment efforts. (IFRC, 27 Nov 2025)
