Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are battling a deadly mystery disease outbreak that has killed 53 people within 48 hours of symptom onset. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 419 cases across northwestern Congo since January 2024, with fatality rates alarming medical teams.
The rapid progression from symptoms to death is deeply alarming,said Dr. Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital. Early cases in Boloko began after three children consumed bat meat and developed hemorrhagic fever symptoms before dying.
Key developments:
- 48-hour mortality rate in 80% of cases
- Samples negative for Ebola, Marburg, and other hemorrhagic viruses
- Malaria detected in some patients
A second outbreak cluster emerged in Bomate on February 9, prompting urgent genetic testing at Kinshasa’s National Institute for Biomedical Research. This follows a similar 2023 incident where a flu-like mystery illness was later identified as severe malaria.
WHO data shows a 60% rise in zoonotic disease outbreaks across Africa since 2012, linked to bushmeat consumption and habitat encroachment. When pathogens jump from animals to humans, containment becomes critical,a WHO spokesperson emphasized.
Authorities have implemented emergency surveillance measures while awaiting conclusive test results. Local health workers urge residents to avoid handling wild animals and seek immediate care for fever, bleeding, or neurological symptoms.