Harare reports 501 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, while cholera cases surpass 300,000 across Africa. Ethiopia and Rwanda investigate Marburg virus, with ongoing support from WHO and Africa CDC. No deaths reported yet, but health authorities remain vigilant.
Recent outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers and waterborne diseases across Africa have been driven by fragile health systems, poor sanitation, and conflict. Ethiopia, Rwanda, and other countries are experiencing outbreaks of Marburg, cholera, and HFMD, with international agencies deploying response teams and supplies to contain the spread. These events follow years of recurring epidemics linked to inadequate infrastructure and cross-border vulnerabilities.
-
How Severe Is the Cholera Outbreak in Africa?
The cholera outbreak in Africa has reached alarming levels in 2025, with over 300,000 reported cases and a significant rise compared to previous years. This surge is driven by ongoing conflicts, poor water access, and inadequate sanitation, especially in war zones like Sudan and refugee camps. Many are asking just how serious this crisis is and what is being done to control it. Below, we explore the severity of the outbreak, the most affected regions, and the efforts underway to combat this deadly disease.
-
What is viral hemorrhagic fever and how dangerous is it?
Ethiopia is currently investigating a suspected outbreak of viral hemorrhagic fever in the southern Omo region. With eight suspected cases reported and support from WHO and Africa CDC, many are wondering what this disease is, how serious it can be, and what measures are being taken to contain it. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about this outbreak and viral hemorrhagic fevers in general.
-
What Is the Marburg Virus and How Dangerous Is It?
The recent investigation into a suspected Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia has raised global concern. With no confirmed cases yet, understanding what the Marburg virus is, how it spreads, and what risks it poses is crucial. Below, you'll find answers to common questions about this deadly disease and the ongoing efforts to prevent its spread.
-
What is the Marburg virus and how serious is the outbreak in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has recently reported suspected cases of Marburg hemorrhagic fever, raising concerns about a potential outbreak. With the virus's high fatality rate and the ongoing investigations, many are wondering what this means for public health. Below, we answer key questions about the Marburg virus, the current situation in Ethiopia, and what is being done to contain it.
-
What’s the latest on infectious disease outbreaks in Africa?
Africa is currently facing multiple health threats, including the recent suspected Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia. With regional concerns rising and health agencies mobilizing, many are wondering what diseases are spreading, how authorities are responding, and what precautions travelers should take. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about these ongoing health alerts and what they mean for the region and beyond.
-
What Are the Current Major Disease Outbreaks in Africa?
Africa is currently facing multiple health crises, including outbreaks of cholera, Marburg virus, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. These outbreaks are driven by systemic health challenges, poor sanitation, and ongoing conflicts. Understanding the scope and response to these crises can help residents, travelers, and health professionals stay informed and prepared. Below, we answer key questions about these outbreaks and what they mean for Africa today.
-
Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west and Sudan to
-
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution, which establishes the agency's governing structure and principles, states its main objective as "the attainment
-
South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Ethiopia, to the north by Sudan, to the west by the Central African Republic, to the south-west by Democratic Repub
-
Marburg virus is a hemorrhagic fever virus of the Filoviridae family of viruses and a member of the species Marburg marburgvirus, genus Marburgvirus.
-
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is an Ethiopian biologist, public health researcher, and official who has been Director-General of the World Health Organization since 2017. Tedros is the first African in the role, and was endorsed by the African Union. He play
-
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa, bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atl
-
Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is located in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa, with a population of over 14 million people. It is...
-
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.3 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area.
-
Rwanda, formerly Ruanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge. One of the smallest countries on the African mainland, its capital city is Kigali.
-
Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
-
The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply the Congo, is a country located in the western coast of Central Africa.