Lamilano Burundian health authorities, together with the World Health Organization (WHO), are investigating the cause of a mysterious disease that has caused five deaths and 35 infections in the Mpanda district, located in the northern region of the country.
Laboratory tests have ruled out the presence of Ebola and Marburg virus infections, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. An alert for this undiagnosed disease was issued on March 31, 2026, primarily affecting members of the same household and their close contacts.
Observed symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, hematuria, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Some severe cases have also manifested jaundice and anemia.
“While it is reassuring that preliminary tests are negative for these serious infections, further investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the disease,” said Dr. Lydwine Badarahana, Burundi’s Minister of Health, according to the WHO statement. “All necessary measures are in place to safeguard public health and prevent the potential spread of the infection,” she added.