KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A mysterious illness has caused the death of over 50 individuals in northwestern Congo, as reported by local doctors and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. The alarming situation has attracted global attention due to the rapid progression of the disease.
According to Serge Ngalebato, the medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center, the interval from the onset of symptoms to death has been a mere 48 hours in the majority of cases. "That’s what’s really worrying," he told The Associated Press. The outbreak, which began on January 21, has resulted in 419 recorded cases, including 53 fatalities.
The WHO’s Africa office has indicated that the first outbreak in the town of Boloko was triggered after three children consumed a bat and succumbed to hemorrhagic fever-like symptoms within 48 hours. The incident has spotlighted the long-standing concerns about zoonotic diseases—illnesses that jump from animals to humans, particularly in regions where wild animals are commonly consumed. The WHO reported in 2022 that such outbreaks in Africa have surged by more than 60% over the past decade.
Following the emergence of a second outbreak in the town of Bomate on February 9, samples from 13 cases have been dispatched to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa for comprehensive testing. The WHO confirmed that all samples have tested negative for known hemorrhagic fever diseases such as Ebola and Marburg. However, some samples have tested positive for malaria, adding complexity to the ongoing investigation.
The situation remains fluid as health officials work diligently to identify the mysterious illness and curb its spread. The global health community continues to monitor developments closely, given the potential implications for public health in the region and beyond.
