Unknown Illness Kills Five in Burundi, WHO Races to Identify Cause

The World Health Organization and Burundi’s health authorities are investigating a mysterious outbreak in the Mpanda district near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since March 30, the illness has claimed five lives and sickened 28 people. Most cases involve members of the same household. Patients have presented with severe symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in urine, as well as jaundice and anemia in some cases. Initial tests for Ebola and Marburg viruses returned negative results. Further laboratory analyses are under way. WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health to strengthen disease surveillance, field investigation, clinical care and lab diagnosis. A joint team of experts has been deployed to coordinate response efforts and contain the spread.

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