Africa CDC investigates unknown disease outbreak in Burundi
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says it is investigating an unknown disease outbreak in Burundi, deploying experts to affected communities.
Africa CDC said that preliminary laboratory tests had so far ruled out major viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Tolbert Nyenswah, the director for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response at Africa CDC, announced this on Thursday during the agency’s weekly high-level press briefing for epidemiological week 16.
Mr Nyenswah said multidisciplinary teams comprising surveillance experts, laboratory scientists, and public health specialists were deployed to remote mountainous areas of Burundi to assess the situation and determine the cause of the outbreak.
According to him, the field team worked with international partners and national health authorities to conduct on-site investigations and collect samples for laboratory analysis.
He said that although the clinical presentations raised initial concerns for viral haemorrhagic fevers, confirmatory tests conducted at national and regional reference laboratories returned negative results for the suspected pathogens.
He said that investigations are ongoing, with additional testing being carried out across Africa CDC’s network of reference laboratories to ensure comprehensive analysis and avoid missing any emerging or uncommon pathogens.
He restated that the response demonstrates Africa CDC’s commitment to early detection, rapid verification, and containment of disease outbreaks at the community level, in line with efforts to strengthen primary healthcare systems across the continent.
Mr Nyenswah also highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration and laboratory networking, stressing that regional cooperation remains critical in responding to complex and evolving public health threats.
He said that Africa CDC was reinforcing surveillance systems and supporting member states to improve outbreak preparedness and response capacities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
He said that further updates would be provided as investigations continue in collaboration with the Burundi health ministry.
(NAN)
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