Burundi has intensified its national Ebola preparedness measures, including the deployment and training of rapid response teams, following the confirmation of a new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda.
In a communiqué issued by the Ministry of Public Health, authorities warned that Burundi faces a “high risk of Ebola virus disease importation” because of its geographic proximity to affected areas and the heavy movement of people across borders.
“Given the geographic proximity, cross-border mobility, and previous epidemic experiences, Burundi is considered a country at high risk of the introduction of Ebola virus disease,” the ministry said.
The ministry stated that confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in Ituri province in northeastern DRC, less than 400 kilometers from Burundi, with regular movement between the two countries through both air and land routes, particularly along the Bujumbura–Goma corridor.
As part of the response, the government announced the “training and deployment of national and provincial teams for the detection of and rapid response to alerts,” referring to the establishment of rapid intervention teams tasked with detecting and responding quickly to suspected Ebola cases.
Authorities also said Burundi has strengthened surveillance at border entry points, installed temporary screening structures, and introduced temperature checks and traveler screening procedures.
The Ministry of Health added that epidemiological surveillance is being reinforced through cascade training on Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) in priority districts, as well as increased supervision at border points and health facilities.
The government said additional measures include strengthening laboratory and rapid diagnostic capacity, intensifying community awareness campaigns, and improving cross-border coordination with health authorities in DRC and neighboring countries.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. WHO says the average Ebola case fatality rate is around 50 percent, although previous outbreaks have ranged from 25 to 90 percent.
WHO says Ebola symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and, in some cases, internal or external bleeding.
The ministry urged citizens to remain vigilant and follow preventive measures, including regular handwashing with clean water and soap, avoiding consumption of wild animals found dead, avoiding contact with corpses where the cause of death is unknown, and limiting unnecessary travel to infected areas.
It also called on the public to quickly report any suspected cases and avoid stigmatization.
“The Ministry of Public Health encourages the population to remain vigilant and to report anyone showing the above-mentioned symptoms to the nearest health facility or call the toll-free hotline 117, because community participation remains essential in containing outbreaks,” the communiqué said.
According to the latest figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner agencies, the Ebola outbreak centered in Ituri Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resulted in Around 80 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak, 246 suspected cases, 8 laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases
The outbreak has primarily affected the health zones of Mongbwalu and Rwampara in Ituri Province, although health authorities have warned that the actual scale of transmission may be higher due to delayed detection and insecurity in the region.
