Ethiopia Reports First Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease; CDC Assists Response
TL/DR –
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) on November 14, 2025, marking the first reported outbreak of the disease in the country. MVD is a highly fatal viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus or Ravn virus; it is spread through contact with the body fluids of an infected person or animal and presents no FDA-approved vaccines or treatments. As of December 3, 2025, there have been 13 laboratory-confirmed cases, eight of which were fatal; however, the risk of it spreading to the United States is considered low.
Ethiopia Records First MVD Outbreak with 13 Confirmed Cases
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in South Ethiopia on November 14, 2025. This is the first known MVD outbreak in the nation, with 13 lab-confirmed cases and eight fatalities. The probe into possible transmission chains and outbreak origins is ongoing.
Confirmation and Strain Identity of the Virus
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s National Reference Laboratory established MVD in a group exhibiting symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever. Genomic sequencing hinted at the strain’s similarity to those from prior MVD outbreaks in East African nations.
CDC’s Role in the Outbreak
The CDC is working closely with Ethiopian health authorities, offering technical expertise in surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, lab testing, and response coordination. However, the risk of the virus spreading to the U.S. is low, the CDC reassures.
CDC aims to increase awareness among U.S. healthcare professionals, public health agencies, laboratories, and travelers. They urge clinicians to assess the travel history of patients presenting acute febrile illness symptoms, especially those who visited the affected regions in Ethiopia. Early consideration of MVD diagnosis is essential for timely isolation, and public health notification.
Understanding MVD
MVD is a rare yet lethal viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by Marburg or Ravn viruses, both part of the Filoviridae family, which includes the Ebola virus.
MVD shows symptoms 2 to 21 days post-exposure. The disease is not contagious until symptoms surface. Early symptoms include fever, aches, chest pains, and fatigue followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding. MVD spreads through contact with infected body fluids or contaminated objects. Marburg virus transmission is not airborne.
Prevention and Treatment
No FDA-approved vaccines or treatments are available for MVD currently. However, several vaccines and treatments are under development. MVD’s mortality rate varies between 23%–90%, depending on the virus strain and case management, but early intensive supportive care and fluid replacement might reduce fatality rates.
The CDC has formulated recommendations for U.S.-based organizations with staff working in the affected areas.
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