BUJUMBURA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Burundi is on high alert to counter the Ebola virus disease following its outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Burundian health minister said here on Friday.

Burundian Public Health and AIDS Control Minister Thaddee Ndikumana told a press conference that until now, no Ebola virus case has been reported on the Burundian territory.

The surveillance system of diseases with epidemic characteristics is on high alert, he added.

The minister said the Burundian government will closely collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners in order to boost the east African country's surveillance system and appropriate preventive measures.

The DRC government on Thursday confirmed 11 cases of Ebola and one death.