Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Health Alert –Marburg Outbreak in South Ethiopia Regional State
Location: South Ethiopia Regional State
Event: On November 17, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 1 (Practice Usual Precautions) Travel Health Notice for Marburg in Ethiopia.
The U.S. Embassy has limited official travel to the South Ethiopia Regional State except for those U.S. government personnel and contractors providing assistance to the Ministry of Health.
Actions to Take to Avoid Exposure to the Marburg Virus:
· Avoid contact with sick people who have symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.
· Avoid contact with blood and other body fluids.
· Avoid contact with fruit bats and the caves and mines where they live.
· Avoid contact with non-human primates (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas).
· Separate yourself from others (isolate) and seek medical care immediately if you develop Marburg symptoms during or after travel (up to 21 days). Call ahead before going to a healthcare facility and tell the doctor that you recently traveled to South Ethiopia Regional State.
· Continue to take malaria prophylaxis as recommended by a health care provider, as the symptoms of malaria can mimic symptoms of Marburg, leading to preventable health scares.
· Visit the CDC Marburg page for more information, including symptoms.
· Visit the CDC Travelers’ Health Page for Ethiopia .
· Refer to our list of Medical Providers
· Check with your travel insurance provider on options should you fall ill while in Ethiopia.
