In Burundi, a mysterious illness has emerged in the northern Mpanda district, prompting health authorities to launch a thorough investigation. Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, the probe aims to ascertain the cause of the illness that has tragically taken five lives and affected 35 others. Initial laboratory tests have ruled out Ebola, Marburg virus, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, but the search for the source of the outbreak continues.
The alert about the illness was raised on March 31, 2026, with the initial cases reported among household members and close contacts. The symptoms reported include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in urine, fatigue, and abdominal pain. In more severe cases, jaundice and anaemia have also been observed. Dr Lydwine Badarahana, Burundi’s Minister of Health, expressed that while the preliminary analysis is reassuring, further investigations are underway to identify the disease’s root cause.
In response to the outbreak, a joint team of experts from Burundi’s public health emergency operations centre and the national reference laboratory has been deployed to the affected area. The WHO is actively supporting the Ministry of Health by enhancing disease surveillance, field investigations, clinical care, laboratory diagnosis, and infection prevention and control. Additionally, the organization has facilitated the shipment of samples to the National Institute of Biomedical Research in the Democratic Republic of Congo for further analysis.
The Burundi Ministry of Health is spearheading the response, collaborating with partner organizations to coordinate efforts. Ensuring public health safety and preventing the potential spread of the infection remain top priorities. For further information or to arrange interviews, the WHO Africa Regional Office can be contacted at nwonyec@who. Int or +2348034645524.
Source: reliefweb
Original author: World Health Organization
