Marburg Virus Outbreak Fully Controlled in Ethiopia

January 18, 2018

The Ministry of Health has officially declared that the Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia has been completely controlled.

In a briefing program attended by Speaker Tagesse Chafo, regional presidents, and partner organizations, Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba announced that the outbreak was rapidly contained through coordinated monitoring and quick response.

Dr Mekdes emphasized that sacrifices made by health professionals were crucial in preventing the virus from spreading further. Their efforts strengthened surveillance systems, enhanced laboratory testing, and expanded community awareness campaigns, ensuring effective control and safeguarding public health across affected regions.

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) reference laboratory played a central role in confirming cases and guiding interventions. In total 3745 individuals were tested, with 14 confirmed cases. Of these, 9 patients sadly lost their lives, while five recovered following intensive treatment.

The Minister highlighted the sacrifices made by frontline professionals, the active participation of the public, and the strong cooperation with the World Health Organization and partner institutions as key factors in achieving this outcome.

The successful containment demonstrates Ethiopia’s growing capacity to respond to sudden health emergencies and the situation is now fully under control, safeguarding communities and strengthening national resilience against future outbreaks