Genomic analysis of early case samples from the 2025 Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia
In November 2025, Ethiopia reported its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, with a case fatality rate of 64%. Here we report the analysis of seven near-complete Marburg virus genomes from seven early cases. The outbreak lineage belonged to the MARV.A.1 clade, which is closely related to genomes from historical human cases and bats. A high nucleotide identity across the seven genomes suggests human-to-human transmission after a zoonotic spillover event. These findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance for outbreak detection, response and preparedness. Phylogenetic analysis of seven Marburg virus genomes from the 2025 outbreak in Ethiopia suggests human-to-human transmission after a spillover event.
Authors
- Maysa Niazy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2995-8617)
- Saro Abdella Abrahim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7167-4043)
- Chala Bashea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5804-2153)
- Agune Ashole Alto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0263-5803)
- Mintesinot Melka Gujo
- Gemechu Tadesse Leta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7623-5381)
- Feyissa Challa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2624-6661)
- Mekdes Daba Feyssa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6588-3217)
- Eleni Kidane
- Melak Getu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7650-0605)
- Neamin Tesfay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2348-1199)
- Atsbeha Gebreegziabxier Weldemariam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1987-6996)
- Dawit Wolday (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1181-1461)
- Getachew Tollera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5575-8439)
- Aderajew Mekonnen Girmay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7911-4152)
- Rajiha Abubeker
- Geremew Tasew (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2797-824X)
- Masresha Tessema (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7155-4815)
- Mesay Hailu
- Betselot Zerihun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4277-2247)
- Selamawit Mengesha Bilal
- Melkamu Abte (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8081-0121)
- Melaku Gonta
- Wolde Shure
- Dereje Duguma
- Adamu Tayachew
- Damene Debalke
- Endashaw Shibru Asegehegne
- Mesfin Wossen Getaneh
- Elubabor Buno Teko
- Nardos Kayema (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9218-5498)
- Adimkewu Agunie
- Gebremedhin Gebremicael
- Muhammed Ahmed Rameto
- Fetilework Kugna
- Aschalew Worku Ashagrie
- Mebratu Massebo
- Medhanye Habtetsion Kidanie
- Tobias Rinke de Wit
- Saharla Abdulahi
- Gelila Mengistu Mihret
- Abraham Ali
- Desta Ayana Geleta
- Tolewak Sura Megersa
- Sintayehu Abdella
- Frehiwot Abebe Gobena
Institutions
- Hawassa University (ET)
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute (ET)
- Federal Ministry of Health (ET)
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (NL)
- Sidama Regional Health Bureau (ET)
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research (CA)
- University of Amsterdam (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Microbiology
- Published
- 2026-10-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-026-02540-y
- Primary Topic
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- World Health Organization
- Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention