CDC

Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia prompts CDC advisory for U.S. clinicians

December 4, 2025

On December 3, 2025, CDC issued a Health Advisory Network (HAN) advisory regarding the first-ever Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Ethiopia’s South and Sidama regions. As of December 3, thirteen lab-confirmed cases—including eight deaths—have been reported, with additional probable cases and ongoing investigations into transmission chains and viral sources. CDC has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice advocating usual precautions and 21-day post-travel self-monitoring. U.S. risk remains low, with no cases reported domestically, but CDC recommends clinicians remain vigilant.

Clinician recommendations:

• Follow CDC’s infection prevention and control guidance for viral hemorrhagic fevers.
• Systematically assess patients with exposure risk and compatible symptoms; include travel history.
• Use EHR travel flags for rapid identification.
• Include MVD in differential diagnosis for febrile patients with epidemiologic risk factors (e.g., contact with sick individuals, funeral rituals, healthcare exposure, bat or primate contact).
• Test for common illnesses (e.g., malaria, influenza, COVID-19) and consider co-infections.
• Immediately isolate suspected cases until negative MVD test ≥72 hours after symptom onset; maintain PPE precautions.
• Notify local health departments and coordinate with CDC for testing and patient transfer if confirmed.

Source:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, December 3). Health Alert Network: First Reported Outbreak Caused by Marburg Virus in Ethiopia (CDCHAN-00525). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00525.html