WHO Regional Office for Africa: Latest Updates and Public Health Initiatives

Ethiopia has declared the end of its first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak, marking a significant milestone in the country’s public health response capabilities.

The declaration was made by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, following a period of sustained surveillance and containment efforts after the initial detection of the virus.

Marburg virus disease, a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, is closely related to Ebola and shares similar transmission routes, including direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces and materials. The virus is known to have a high case fatality ratio, which can range from 24% to 88% depending on the virus strain and quality of case management.

The outbreak in Ethiopia represented the first time the country had reported a case of Marburg virus disease. Upon detection, national health authorities activated emergency response protocols, including case isolation, contact tracing, community engagement, and the establishment of treatment centers equipped to manage viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Support from international partners, including the WHO Regional Office for Africa, played a key role in strengthening surveillance systems, providing technical guidance, and assisting with laboratory confirmation of cases. The WHO has previously emphasized the importance of rapid detection and response in preventing the spread of such high-threat pathogens, particularly in regions with limited prior experience managing outbreaks of this nature.

The end of the outbreak was declared after a period of 42 days — twice the maximum incubation period of the Marburg virus — passed without any new confirmed cases. This timeframe is consistent with international standards used by the WHO to determine when an outbreak of a viral hemorrhagic fever can be considered over.

Health officials noted that the successful containment of the outbreak reflects improvements in Ethiopia’s epidemic preparedness and response infrastructure, including investments made in recent years to strengthen disease surveillance, train health workers, and enhance laboratory capacity for pathogen detection.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa has highlighted similar progress across the continent, noting that routine immunization programs and strengthened health systems are contributing to measurable gains in preventing and managing infectious disease threats, even amid ongoing challenges such as funding constraints and health workforce shortages.

While the immediate threat has passed, authorities continue to urge vigilance, particularly in regions bordering areas where Marburg virus has been previously detected, and recommend sustained investment in surveillance, diagnostics, and community-based reporting systems to ensure early detection of any future cases.