A mysterious illness has rapidly spread in northwestern Congo, claiming the lives of over 50 people in just five weeks. The outbreak, first identified on January 21, began in the village of Boloko after 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, expressed his worry, stating, \"The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been just 48 hours in most cases, and that's what's really worrying.\" 
The affected individuals exhibited symptoms including fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, which are commonly associated with hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever. However, extensive testing of more than a dozen samples has ruled out these known viruses.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as of now, there are 419 recorded cases and 53 deaths linked to this outbreak. Following the initial cases in Boloko, a second outbreak emerged in the village of Bomate on February 9. Samples from 13 new cases were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, where all tested negative for common hemorrhagic fevers, though some cases tested positive for malaria.
This situation highlights the ongoing concerns about zoonotic diseases—illnesses that jump from animals to humans—especially in regions where wild animals are commonly consumed. According to the WHO, such outbreaks in Africa have surged by more than 60 percent over the past decade.
Last year, a similar mystery illness in another part of Congo was later identified as likely being caused by malaria. As health officials continue to investigate, the community remains on high alert, emphasizing the need for better monitoring and prevention measures to tackle such outbreaks.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
