To be sure, there is a high probability that this is no truly new virus. But ebola, marburg, mpox, lassa and several other likely suspects have been ruled out by RNA tests.

And 35 have been afflicted in the Mpanda District — primarily among a group of close family contacts — without travel histories. Five of the people have already died of what looked like hemorrhagic causes (before the more sensitive tests were being done). Here’s the latest — from the AvianFlu blog — sourcing data out of the WHO, in Burundi:

…Pathfinder posted two reports on a `mystery’ illness affecting several households in Burundi, in east Africa. Since late March, at least 5 deaths, and roughly 3 dozen illnesses have been reported, `…primarily among members of the same household and close contacts….’

So far, tests have ruled out many of the `usual suspects’; Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Further testing is underway.

[And] while this could be something new, there are still a number of diagnoses that must be ruled out including infectious diseases like Severe Malaria, Leptospirosis, Enteric Fever, etc., environmental contaminants (heavy metals or pesticides), or food or alcohol poisoning….

As ever, the old and wise rule is — if one hears hoofbeats in Central Park, New York — think first not of zebras or gazelles, but of… horses. Smile — go, and be excellent to one another — a warm Spring week ahead here.

नमस्ते