An unknown illness has rapidly spread in northwestern Congo, claiming the lives of over 50 people within five weeks. The outbreak, which began in the village of Boloko on January 21, was sparked when three children who ate a bat fell ill and died within 48 hours.
Health experts are deeply concerned by the swift progression of the disease. Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, highlighted that the interval between the onset of symptoms—such as fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding—and death has been just 48 hours in most cases. \"That's what's really worrying,\" he said.
These symptoms are typically associated with known hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever. However, tests conducted on more than a dozen samples from affected individuals have ruled out these viruses. Instead, some samples tested positive for malaria, though it remains unclear if it is the primary cause.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively monitoring the situation. After the second outbreak began in the village of Bomate on February 9, samples from 13 cases were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa for further testing. Despite extensive testing, the exact cause of the illness remains unidentified.
This outbreak underscores the ongoing concerns about zoonotic diseases—those that jump from animals to humans—especially in regions where wild animals are commonly consumed. The WHO reported a more than 60 percent surge in such outbreaks in Africa over the past decade.
Last year, a similar mystery illness in another part of Congo was initially reported to have killed dozens but was later likely diagnosed as malaria. The current situation highlights the critical need for rapid identification and response to emerging health threats.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
