Unknown Illness Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo Kills Over 50 People

Image credits: AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a significant public health threat due to an unknown illness that has killed more than 50 people in the northwestern region of the country. The outbreak, which was first discovered in three children who ate a bat, has caused 431 cases and 53 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The illness is characterized by symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, with a fatality rate of 12.3 percent. The WHO has stated that the exact cause of the illness remains unknown, and health teams are investigating other potential causes, including malaria, food poisoning, typhoid, meningitis, or other viral haemorrhagic fevers.

The outbreak was first reported in the town of Boloko, where three children died after eating a bat and experiencing haemorrhagic fever symptoms. The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been 48 hours in most cases, which is a significant concern for health workers. The WHO has sent samples from 13 cases for testing to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, but all samples have tested negative for Ebola and other common haemorrhagic fever diseases like Marburg. Some samples have tested positive for malaria, but the WHO is still investigating the cause of the illness.

The WHO has reported two separate outbreaks of the illness in Équateur province, with the larger outbreak occurring in Bomate village, where 45 people have died out of 419 cases. The organization has stated that the outbreaks pose a significant public health threat, particularly due to the limited surveillance capacity and health infrastructure in the affected villages. The WHO is working to support local health teams in investigating the cause of the illness and preventing further outbreaks. The organization has also noted that the number of outbreaks of diseases jumping from animals to humans in Africa has surged by more than 60% in the last decade, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and cooperation to prevent and respond to public health threats.

A list of key facts about the outbreak includes: * 431 cases reported since January * 53 deaths, with a fatality rate of 12.3 percent * Two separate outbreaks in Équateur province * Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding * Interval between onset of symptoms and death is 48 hours in most cases * Samples have tested negative for Ebola and other common haemorrhagic fever diseases * The WHO is investigating other potential causes, including malaria, food poisoning, typhoid, meningitis, or other viral haemorrhagic fevers. The outbreak is a significant concern for public health, and the WHO is working to support local health teams in responding to the crisis.

The WHO and local health authorities are working to investigate the cause of the illness and prevent further outbreaks. The organization is also providing support to affected communities and working to strengthen health infrastructure in the region. The outbreak highlights the need for increased cooperation and vigilance to prevent and respond to public health threats, particularly in regions with limited resources and infrastructure. The WHO will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.