The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says it is investigating an unknown disease outbreak in Burundi, deploying experts to affected communities.
Africa CDC stated that preliminary laboratory tests have ruled out major viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Dr. Tolbert Nyenswah, 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.
Nyenswah said multidisciplinary teams—including surveillance experts, laboratory scientists, and public health specialists—were deployed to remote mountainous areas of Burundi to assess the situation and determine the outbreak’s cause.
The field teams are working with international partners and national health authorities to conduct on-site investigations and collect samples for laboratory analysis.
“Although the clinical presentation initially raised concerns for viral haemorrhagic fevers, confirmatory tests in national and regional reference laboratories returned negative results for the suspected pathogens,” he said.
Investigations are ongoing, with additional testing across Africa CDC’s network of reference laboratories to ensure comprehensive analysis and detect any emerging or uncommon pathogens.
Nyenswah emphasised that the response reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to early detection, rapid verification, and containment of disease outbreaks at the community level, supporting stronger primary healthcare systems across the continent.
He also highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration and laboratory networking, noting that regional cooperation is critical in responding to complex and evolving public health threats.
Africa CDC is reinforcing surveillance systems and supporting member states to improve outbreak preparedness and response capacities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Further updates will be provided as investigations continue in collaboration with the Burundi Ministry of Health.
