Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health said the number of infections from Marburg virus in southern Ethiopia has risen to 12 with eight people have so far died from the disease.
The ministry’s latest Marburg Virus Disease Situational Report issued Thursday said a total of 78 laboratory investigations have been carried out since the outbreak was first confirmed on 14 November. Of these, 12 marburg virus infections have been laboratory-confirmed, including the eight deaths, while four patients are currently receiving treatment.
On 26 November alone, seven samples were tested, with two confirmed positive, the ministry said. In a press briefing on Wednesday, health minister Mekdes Daba, said 349 people were identified for having contacts with confirmed cases andthey have been placed under follow-up, while 119 have completed the monitoring period and been released.
Daba said contact tracing and medical care for the patients and their contacts are ongoing, alongside intensive preparatory work to ensure treatment can be provided in parts of the country where the virus has not yet been detected.
She said the ministry is conducting intensive contact tracing and monitoring along with international partners, including the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marburg virus disease is a severe hemorrhagic fever caused by a filovirus related to Ebola.
The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials.
On November 14, 2025, the Ethiopia Ministry of Health reported the country’s first maburg outbreak.
Although Ethiopia did not report outbreak of marburg before, the type of bat that carries the virus is found in the south of the country.
MG/as/APA