Marburg in Ethiopia

Level 4 - Avoid All Travel
Level 3 - Reconsider Nonessential Travel
Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions
Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

Key points

  • Ethiopia is experiencing its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (Marburg) in the South Ethiopia Regional State (formerly SNNPR). Cases have been reported in Jinka Town (see map).
  • Local health authorities in Ethiopia are working to identify people infected with Marburg and how the virus is spreading, taking action to prevent further transmission, and educating communities and the public about the risks and dangers of Marburg.
  • If you travel to Ethiopia, you should:
    • Review Health Information for Travelers to Ethiopia to find out about routine precautions travelers should take when traveling to Ethiopia.
    • Consider getting travel insurance before you travel, including health and medical evacuation insurance, to cover yourself in case of delays, injuries, or illnesses that may occur on your trip.
    • Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
    • Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids from other people.
    • Avoid contact with dead bodies or items that have been in contact with dead bodies, including when attending or participating in a funeral or burial ritual.
    • Avoid contact with fruit bats or entering the caves and mines where they live.
    • Avoid contact with nonhuman primates (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas).
  • Watch your health for symptoms of Marburg while in the outbreak area and for 21 days after leaving. If you develop fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness):
    • Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
    • Do not travel.
    • Contact local health authorities or a healthcare facility for advice. Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility staff prepare for your arrival, including contacting health authorities and taking any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients.

Traveler Information

Clinician Information

Information for Organizations

Map: Area of Marburg outbreak in Ethiopia (Jinka town in South Ethiopia Regional State)
Map: Area in Ethiopia with Marburg outbreak (View larger)
What is Marburg?

Marburg virus disease (Marburg) is a rare and deadly disease that has, at times, caused outbreaks in multiple African countries. The disease is named after the city in Germany where it was first reported in 1967.

Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising (a late stage of illness).

Marburg is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of a person infected with or who has died from Marburg. It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects (such as clothing, bedding, needles, and medical equipment) or by contact with animals, such as fruit bats and nonhuman primates, that are infected with Marburg virus.

Infection with Marburg virus is often fatal. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Marburg.