Addis Ababa – Ethiopia has declared the first-ever Marburg outbreak in the country over after less than three months of coordinated response, supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The outbreak, largely confined to the southern region of the country, ended after 42 consecutive days without new cases. Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, said the government’s rapid action and transparency demonstrated the resilience and growing strength of Ethiopia’s health system.
“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.
Laboratory testing was key to the response, with more than 3,800 tests conducted. This led to 14 confirmed cases, nine deaths, and five recoveries. Dr Kaseya added that timely, high-quality data enabled authorities to make precise decisions.
Ethiopia informed Africa CDC of laboratory confirmations on 14 November 2025, before formally declaring the outbreak. Dr Kaseya called this “a powerful sign of trust and a strong commitment to continental health security.”
Health Minister Dr Mekdes Daba said the rapid containment of Marburg reflects strong national leadership, effective coordination, and the dedication of frontline teams and communities. She also stressed the importance of ongoing preparedness against future health threats.
Africa CDC worked closely with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) from the start. The agency deployed technical experts, supported the national Marburg response plan, and supplied more than 2,000 PCR testing kits and protective gear for health workers. Surveillance, rapid-response capacity, and operational research were also strengthened to prevent future outbreaks.
Beyond emergency response, Africa CDC has provided over USD 1.26 million in laboratory equipment to EPHI and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute, improving testing infrastructure and personnel training. A regional initiative with the World Bank has secured USD 150 million for new laboratory and office facilities, currently under development. EPHI has been designated an Africa CDC Regional Centre of Excellence and is building international partnerships, including with the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
Addis Ababa will host the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026), featuring Ethiopia’s modernised Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Artificial Intelligence Centre, and expanding 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 response.”
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