Experts express deep concern as a mysterious illness rapidly spreads, claiming the lives of 53 people within days and leaving many more at risk.
A deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Health officials are deeply concerned about a mysterious illness that has claimed 53 lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The outbreak has been reported in the northwestern Équateur Province, with more than 400 cases recorded since January.
Symptoms appear rapidly before leading to death
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the disease progresses at an alarming rate. Many victims have died within 48 hours of experiencing symptoms.
Reported symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, headaches, and extreme fatigue.
WHO considers this outbreak a severe public health threat. The cause of the illness remains unknown, though health officials have ruled out Ebola and Marburg viruses.
WHO issues urgent warning
The WHO released a statement on February 16 highlighting the outbreak’s severity.
“The exact cause remains unknown, with Ebola and Marburg already ruled out, raising concerns about a severe infectious or toxic agent,” the statement read.
“Urgent action is needed to accelerate laboratory investigations, improve case management and isolation capacities, and strengthen surveillance and risk communication.”
The organization also noted that the remote location and weak healthcare infrastructure pose significant challenges in containing the disease.
Communities affected and early cases traced
The outbreak has impacted two communities in the Équateur Province—Bomate and Boloko.
Health officials first reported cases in Bomate Village on February 9, while Boloko recorded cases as early as January 21.
Investigators traced early cases to three community deaths among children under five years old. Reports suggest the children consumed a bat carcass before falling ill.
Scientists work to identify the disease
Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, spoke about the disease’s unknown nature.
“A genuinely new illness, as we saw with COVID-19, can happen but is very rare,” he said. “Usually, it’s a bug that we know about but haven’t yet diagnosed in that particular outbreak.”
Scientists are conducting metagenomic sequencing and further studies to identify the cause. The investigations focus on two key areas: the Bolomba Health Zone and the Basankusu Health Zone, where the affected villages are located.
The urgent need for international intervention
The high fatality rate and rapid disease progression highlight the urgent need for medical intervention. Healthcare workers continue to investigate and contain the outbreak while awaiting laboratory results.
The WHO and local health authorities urge immediate action to prevent further spread and determine the cause of the illness. As experts work to identify the disease, affected communities remain on high alert, hoping for answers soon.