The first-ever outbreak of Marburg in Ethiopia has been declared over, after less than three months of rapid and collaborative response efforts supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The end of the outbreak – which was largely confined to Ethiopia’s southern region – comes after 42 consecutive days without any new cases. Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, commended the Government of Ethiopia for its swift leadership and high level of transparency throughout the response, noting that the country’s actions demonstrated the resilience and growing strength of its health system.
He said rather than allowing the emergency to disrupt essential services, Ethiopia adopted an integrated approach that paired routine vaccination campaigns with door to door screening in affected communities. “This community centred strategy ensured early detection, maintained public confidence and preserved continuity of care,” Dr Kaseya said.
A robust laboratory system also played a central role in the response. More than 3,800 tests were conducted, leading to 14 confirmed cases, nine deaths and five recoveries. This emphasis on timely, high-quality data allowed authorities to guide decisions with precision and confidence, according to Dr Kaseya.
He said Ethiopia informed Africa CDC immediately upon confirmation of laboratory results on 14 November 2025, even before the formal outbreak declaration, describing this as “a powerful sign of trust and a strong commitment to continental health security.”
Dr Mekdes Daba, Ethiopia’s Health Minister, said the swift containment of the outbreak underscores strong national leadership, effective coordination and the dedication of frontline teams and communities, while emphasising that continued preparedness is vital to safeguard populations against future health threats.
From the start of the outbreak, Africa CDC worked closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI). The agency deployed technical experts into Ethiopia’s Incident Management System, supported the development of the national Marburg response plan, and provided essential supplies, including more than 2,000 PCR testing kits and protective equipment for frontline health workers. The organisation also strengthened Ethiopia’s surveillance, rapid-response capacity and operational research to help prevent future outbreaks.
Looking ahead, Addis Ababa will host the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026), showcasing Ethiopia’s modernised Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Artificial Intelligence Centre and growing innovation ecosystem.
“Today, as we celebrate the end of this outbreak, we are not only celebrating the containment of a virus,” Dr Kaseya said. “We are celebrating Ethiopian leadership that is positioning the Ethiopian Public Health Institute as a continental centre of excellence for outbreak preparedness and response.
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