WHO confirms first outbreak of Marburg virus in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms the first outbreak of the Marburg virus in the South Ethiopia region in Africa, as three people died and more deaths are expected.

According to Reuters, Ethiopia’s health ministry said on Monday, November 17, 2025, that three deaths reported are suspected to be linked to the highly contagious haemorrhagic disease.

The ministry said in a statement, “The Ethiopian Public Health Institute's reference laboratory has confirmed that three people have died from the virus.”

The statement also added that an additional three fatalities are being investigated for a possible connection to the disease.

Marburg virus, like the Ebola virus, often causes severe headaches leading to haemorrhage.

As per the reports, the previous outbreaks in Africa have resulted in fatality rates as high as 80% or more, typically within eight to nine days of symptom onset.

The national authorities are scaling up the response, including community-wide screening, case isolation, treatment, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the Marburg virus.

The health ministry did not provide a new overall case count this time, but said 129 people who had been in contact with confirmed cases had been isolated and were being monitored.

Additionally, the Marburg virus is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids such as saliva and blood, or by handling infected wild animals, especially monkeys.