The Ethiopian Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute confirmed on Sunday, May 26, 2025, that a case of Mpox has been detected in Moyale City, Oromia Region. The virus was found in a 27-day-old infant, marking the first known infection in the country.

In an official statement, health authorities confirmed that further testing revealed the infant’s mother had also been exposed to the Mpox virus. Additionally, investigations indicated that the child’s father had recently traveled to a neighboring country, prompting health officials to initiate contact tracing efforts. Authorities have begun identifying locations he visited and monitoring individuals who may have had close contact with him.

The Ministry assured the public that the infected child and his mother are receiving appropriate medical care in a designated isolation ward and, so far, have not experienced severe health complications.

According to the institution’s statement, since the Mpox outbreak began on the continent, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has taken various measures to prevent the virus from entering the country and to control its spread if detected. The Ministry emphasized that an Emergency Coordination Center, established within the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, has been actively working to contain the disease.

The Ministry’s statement also outlined common symptoms among individuals exposed to the Mpox virus, including rash, cough, fever, headache, fatigue, and back pain.

Meanwhile, the country’s healthcare system is currently facing challenges due to a nationwide health worker strike. The Ethiopian Health Workers Movement initiated the strike on May 12, demanding fair pay, better benefits, and improved working conditions. A full strike commenced on May 19, leading to service disruptions in several hospitals across Addis Ababa and regional cities.