17th November 2025: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Regional Preparedness for Pandemic Response (PREPARE) Project supported by the Pandemic Fund through WHO, convened an emergency high-level virtual meeting on 17 November 2025 following Ethiopia’s confirmation of a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in South Omo Zone. By the time of this meeting, nine confirmed and 25 suspected cases have been reported, triggering rapid regional coordination to support response and preparedness across IGAD Member States.
The meeting brought together representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Djibouti, and Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, who underscored that the outbreak’s proximity to the borders with Kenya and South Sudan poses a significant regional public health risk. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and Public Health Institute were commended for prompt detection, transparency, and early public communication. Under the PREPARE project, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society has deployed community volunteers, strengthened risk communication, and supplied infection-prevention materials to Jinka General Hospital.
Recognizing that “if one country is not safe, none are safe,” IGAD Member States outlined key preparedness measures, including heightened surveillance at points of entry, activation of emergency operations centers, cross-border risk assessments, and intensified community awareness. Kenya has issued nationwide advisories and activated county emergency centers; Uganda has increased surveillance at points of entry and mobilized public health emergency teams; Sudan has initiated screening and awareness activities at airports and informal crossings despite operational challenges; and Djibouti, the current IGAD chair, emphasized the need for stronger cross-border surveillance and laboratory capacity given heavy population movement with Ethiopia. Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan have all issued advisories and alert notices on Marburg virus disease.
IGAD will coordinate regional preparedness for the Marburg outbreak by promoting rapid information-sharing, aligning country actions, and adapting PREPARE Project activities to strengthen early warning, laboratories, IPC, and risk communication. IGAD will also collaborate closely with WHO, Africa CDC, and the Pandemic Fund, and accelerate relevant PREPARE Phase II activities to address immediate needs while reinforcing long-term regional preparedness.
Country Advisories on Marburg:
DJIBOUTI
Djibouti_Note d’information, l’épidémie Marburg
KENYA
Kenya_Final Advisory on confirmed MVD _1511_251115_135827
SOUTH SUDAN
South Sudan_Press Release on Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in Jinka Town, Southern Ethiopia
