A mystery illness sweeping through the Democratic Republic of the Congo has now resulted in over 50 deaths, with 419 confirmed cases since its emergence in January.
The outbreak began in Boloko, where the first three cases were reported on January 21.
The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that the initial victims—three children under five years old—became fatally ill after consuming a bat. The children died within 48 hours, a short timeframe that has alarmed health officials.
Serge Ngalebato, the medical director of Bikoro Hospital, described the situation as “really worrying.”
Hemorrhagic-Like Symptoms Raise Concern
Initially, local health officials reported that the affected children showed hemorrhagic-like symptoms, including fever and vomiting, followed by severe internal bleeding.
However, the latest health department report also listed diarrhea and fatigue as additional symptoms.
Other common symptoms include neck and joint pain, shortness of breath, and profuse sweating.
Individuals under 59 years old have reported intense thirst, while children have been observed excessively crying.
Doctors monitoring the outbreak fear that the disease could pose “significant global health risks” if it continues to spread. Despite extensive testing, the cause of the mystery illness remains unknown, with patients testing negative for both Ebola and Marburg virus—two deadly hemorrhagic fevers. However, around half of the infected individuals have been diagnosed with malaria.
Samples Sent for Further Testing
Following the detection of a second outbreak in Bomate on February 9, samples from 13 cases have been sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa for further testing. The WHO has labeled the outbreak a “public health crisis”, warning of a “significant threat” if not swiftly contained.
In a recent Africa bulletin, the WHO stated: “The exact cause remains unknown, with Ebola and Marburg already ruled out, raising concerns about a severe infectious or toxic agent.”
The organisation has emphasised accelerated laboratory investigations, improved case management, enhanced isolation measures, and strengthened disease surveillance.
Experts Warn of Possible Global Significance
Dr. Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, explained that while a new virus may cause this outbreak, due to testing limitations, an existing pathogen is more likely to remain undetected.
“The quality of the sample, and the timing of when it was collected, can impact the accuracy of test results—especially when multiple pathogens are present,” he said.
“Although there is a chance this is a newly emerging disease, as we saw with COVID-19, it remains the less likely scenario. Further testing is ongoing, and we should have more clarity soon.”
The outbreak’s remote location, combined with weak healthcare infrastructure, has increased the risk of further spread, prompting calls for immediate high-level intervention to prevent a wider health crisis.
