Ethiopia confirms first outbreak of deadly Marburg virus

ADDIS ABABA – 15 November 2025: Ethiopia’s health ministry has recorded the country’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, a deadly illness with severe symptoms.

Health officials confirmed the presence of the deadly pathogen in samples taken from a cluster of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever cases in the country’s south, the ministry said.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday that nine infections have been identified so far in southern Ethiopia.

Marburg virus disease is typically transmitted to humans from fruit bats and can spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials, according to the WHO.

Early signs include sudden fever, intense headache, muscle pain and fatigue, with many patients developing severe bleeding within days.

There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines, although several candidates are in trials.

Supportive care, including rehydration and management of symptoms, can improve survival rates.