Butanyerera : a mysterious illness affects over 500 pupils

SOS Médias Burundi

Kayanza, January 25, 2026 – For nearly a week, an illness of unknown origin, with flu-like symptoms, has affected more than 500 pupils in several secondary schools in the districts of Gatara and Kayanza, in Butanyerera province, northern Burundi. The situation, deemed alarming by school authorities, requires urgent intervention from public health services.

Worrying symptoms and rapid spread

The affected pupils are exhibiting symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu : severe headaches, high fever, generalized body aches, and a persistent cough. The number of cases continues to rise, fueling concern among parents, teachers, and local authorities.

“The speed of the spread is reminiscent of that observed during the Covid-19 pandemic,” confided a local administrative official, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Preventive measures already in place

The affected schools have recommended that pupils strictly adhere to hygiene rules, including frequent handwashing and avoiding physical contact. However, school authorities acknowledge that these measures remain insufficient given the scale of the outbreak.

They are calling on public health services to intervene quickly to identify the exact source of the illness and implement an appropriate health response.

Concern and a plea for help

The most affected schools are primarily boarding schools, where close quarters facilitate transmission. Some school officials, overwhelmed by the situation, are making an urgent appeal to health authorities for a swift, coordinated, and effective intervention.

While awaiting precise identification of the illness, pupils, parents, and teachers are living in uncertainty, hoping that appropriate measures will be taken quickly to prevent the health situation in the region from worsening.